Training, Obsessive Attention to Quality and Dynamic Marketing: Flambeau EuroPlast’s Secrets for Expansion

Flambeau EuroPlast, the Ramsgate based blow and injection moulders, a major supplier to the European automotive market, is set to become an even bigger player through a policy of acquisition and organic growth.

Flambeau EuroPlast was created through the acquisition of Blowspeed Ltd., by the US based Nordic Group of Companies in December last year. This was the first step by the Nordic Group in its drive to become a major force right across Europe in technical moulding in plastics.

“The strength and commitment of our parent company in the US has given us confidence and a firm foundation for the building blocks now being put in place for future expansion,” commented Roger Dennett President and Chief Executive of Flambeau EuroPlast Ltd.

“This strength isn’t only financial, much can be drawn from belonging to a world wide corporation. We have access to the research and development resources at the Flambeau Technology Centre at Baraboo, Wisconsin and the Technical Sales offices in Japan and Detroit are active in promoting and marketing Flambeau EuroPlast.”

He added: “The building blocks are training, obsessive attention to quality and a dynamic approach to marketing. The expansion is being led by a first rate management team I have spent months assembling.”

“Expansion means putting more resources into marketing, both in the UK and in Europe, to open up new markets and expand our presence with existing customers,” he continued. “Our location close to the short sea routes across the Channel puts us in an ideal position to be a springboard into Europe for both for organic growth and acquisition.”

Flambeau EuroPlast moved forward within weeks of its creation to make its own acquisition of neighbouring L & P Plastics.

Roger Dennett added: “Flambeau EuroPlast specialised in blow moulding with some injection moulding. L & P was a much more specialist injection moulding operation. We are a good match and the addition of L & P’s operation has given us much more balance.”

Following the amalgamation Flambeau EuroPlast now has 27 injection moulding machines ranging from 25 ton capacity to 800 tons, and 20 blow moulding presses up to 200 litres capacity. Both operations are being concentrated on Flambeau EuroPlast’s nine acre site in Ramsgate, which has ample room to accommodate the machines and people, bringing significant cost savings.

“Whatever our plans, Flambeau EuroPlast will only be as good as its people. That is why I am as obsessive about training as about quality. I don’t see a dividing line between them. One constantly feeds the other,” he stated.

The company’s commitment to its people is manifested in its recent £100,000 investment in a training centre, which is fully accredited to teach plastics industry National Vocational Qualifications. The company has Trainers covering all shifts to give all staff an equal opportunity to work towards NVQ certificates.

Flambeau EuroPlast  is BSI registered to BS EN ISO 9002 and QS 9000 standards and is currently working towards obtaining ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 in 2001. It has made a commitment to obtain Investors in People accreditation.

Flambeau EuroPlast employs some 250 staff and produces blow and injection moulded components primarily for the automotive industry, but also operates in the white goods, construction, pharmaceutical, electronics and toy sectors.

Its customers in the automotive industry, directly and indirectly include such names as Autoliv, Citroen, General Motors, Honda, IBC, Jaguar, JCB, Land Rover, the Lear Corporation, the Magna Corporation, Massey Ferguson, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Rover, SAAB, Valeo, Visteon and Volvo. It also supplies components for Beechams, British Aerospace, Caradon Bathrooms, Hayters, Hoover, Hozelock, Kennedy Hygiene, Lego and Vent Axia.

The Nordic Group of companies, based at Baraboo, Wisconsin, midway between Chicago and Minneapolis, consists of 14 separate service and manufacturing companies and 28 marketing units. It is privately owned and has an annual turnover in excess of $350 million.

A profile of Flambeau EuroPlast can be seen on the company’s web pages on the following address: http://www.flambeaueuro.com. More information about the Nordic Group can be found at its web site: http://www.nordicgroup.com.

 

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