11 Jul 2006
Development of manufacturing “Centres of Excellence”
VitasheetGroup, London, 11 July 2006 - In February 2006 the thermoplastic sheet division of British Vita was re-named VitasheetGroup. VitasheetGroup is Europe’s largest manufacturer of thermoplastic sheet products and it is in the process of re-aligning its operations to deliver market leading products and services to its customers
Spearheading this transformation is the company’s new Managing Director, Rob Harris. Rob joined VitasheetGroup in mid-May from BP plc, where he was Director of six international companies and represented BP on various international bodies.
Speaking about his new role, Rob said ‘I will be driving forward the strategy for VitasheetGroup by focusing on customers, markets, building organisational capabilities and delivering ‘top of the pack’ performance for our European thermoplastic sheet business. As a multi-site operator, we have the capability to manufacture close to our customers, yet offer a wide range of specialist expertise and products.’
One of the measures being implemented to realise this strategy is the development of a new dedicated European R&D centre to act as a catalyst for market-driven innovation and to support enhanced customer service. Following an extensive review, the location for the R&D centre has been selected within the Metzeler site at Jülich near Düsseldorf. The European R&D centre will be staffed by an international team; they will have a pilot line and full testing equipment available at the new facility, which will be fully operational by the end of 2006.
Manufacturing “Centres of Excellence” are also being established that will concentrate our specialist manufacturing capabilities. As a consequence, there will be a reduction in the number of manufacturing sites from ten to eight. With great regret, VitasheetGroup has today announced proposals to cease operations at its Doeflex factory at Redhill in the UK and its Caleppio factory in Italy by the end of 2006. These decisions follow a comprehensive review of manufacturing operations. Both sites suffer a high operating cost that can not be reduced through efficiency improvements. Also, the products are made at other VitasheetGroup facilities where the cost base is lower.
VitasheetGroup has therefore entered into immediate consultation with the employees affected by these announcements.
Maintaining a local presence is important to our UK customers and the Sales and Customer Services activities will be retained in the UK. However, centralisation of other key functions will offer significant benefits to customers. For example, centralised Supply Chain Planning will help to deliver improved lead times, while centralised procurement will provide more secure agreements with suppliers.
Reader enquiries
VitasheetGroupZ.I. Secteur le Bois
62620 RUITZ
Tel.: +33 3 2161 6666
Fax: +33 3 2161 6660
www.vitasheetgroup.fr
France
Notes for editors
About VitasheetGroup
As a member of British Vita, VitasheetGroup is Europe’s largest producer of custom made extruded sheet and films in an extensive range of polymers, including Styrenics (PS, HIPS), ABS, Polyolefins (PP, PE), Polyester (APET, PETG), AgroPolymers and many specialist compounds and alloys. VitasheetGoup has the capability and product range to be a “multi-market specialist” and true partner in transportation, building and environment, thermoforming and conversion, packaging and graphic arts.
Editorial enquiries
UK contact:
Alison Vesey, PR Manager
British Vita
European contact:
Luc Chavany, Director of Business Development
VitasheetGroup
luc.chavany@vitasheetgroup.fr
Chantal Braam
EMG