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ALECTIA appoints new UK Head of Operations
ALECTIA has appointed Nick Hickman to be the Head of Operations in the UK. He succeeds Richard Crane who, after a 28-year career with PTS and ALECTIA, is retiring to a more leisurely pace of life, but will be involved in the business on a part time, project basis for the time being.
Richard was instrumental in creating a unique culture in the UK company and aligning it with the Danish operations so that the skills and competencies in each location reflect and complement each other. Nick has worked alongside Richard for the last two years strengthening the company’s position as a leading adviser and engineer to the hygienic process industry in Europe and around the world.
Commenting on his appointment, Nick Hickman said: “We all wish Richard well in his retirement and it is richly deserved as his contribution to the business cannot be understated. ALECTIA is enjoying a strong period of growth worldwide and, with our new structure and strategies, we are very well placed to continue this trajectory. I am very much looking forward to working with all our engineers on an exciting pipeline of projects both here in the UK and further afield.”
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New production site in Indonesia for Schütz
The official opening of the company’s own production facility in Indonesia sees Schütz continuing the sustainable development of the company’s network in South East Asia.
Schütz has been operating in Jakarta since 2005 with a distribution company. In Karawang, 50km east of the island-nation’s capital city, a new factory was built fitted with state-of-the-art manufacturing lines in 2013.
The production of IBCs started at the new site at the end of last year and has since then been further optimised to meet customer demands. The site has now been officially inaugurated in an opening ceremony, which featured traditional dance performances and the symbolic cutting of a ribbon. Gertjan Boom, Business Unit Manager Asia/Pacific, and Ricky Lie, General Manager of PT. Schütz Container Systems Indonesia, welcomed numerous guests from industry, business and politics, including Governor representative Ir Dedi Mulyadia and Dr. Cellica Nurrachadiana, Vice Regent of Karawang. Many customers from the food, pharmaceuticals and chemical industry also attended the event. In a tour of the factory, guests were shown how Schütz’s packaging solutions are produced with the highest degree of energy efficiency thanks to modern technology.
The new subsidiary further strengthens delivery security and shortens transport distances in the South East Asian market. In terms of population, Indonesia is the fourth biggest country in the world and its specific geography poses special challenges - the country is spread over more than 17,000 islands, of which only around 6000 are inhabited. Accordingly, optimised logistics combined with a close proximity to customers are Schütz’s primary goals. The advantages are reduced use of fuels, a better eco balance and higher cost efficiency.
The packaging products manufactured in Karawang also offer customers solutions for a wide range of applications. In order to address the special needs of the food industry the site is presently undergoing the FSSC 22000 certification process, which after completion will ensure and document the highest safety and purity standards in materials, the production process and the end product. For all guests, the key statement at the inauguration event was that Schütz is committed to continually building its position in South East Asia, and that its wide portfolio offers innovative, sustainable and secure transport packaging for a wide range of filling goods including acids, varnishes, paints or concentrates, foods and cosmetics.
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Shanghai, innovation and investments in 2015 for P.E.T. Engineering
P.E.T. Engineering srl closed 2014 with a turnover of €7.5 million, consolidating the excellent results achieved in 2013, and has started 2015 in style with the opening of their second branch in Shanghai.
20.5% of the company’s sales come from China, and CEO Moreno Barel says they have penetrated this market “by the know-how, technical expertise and hardware we provide our clients with. The design of preforms and containers, together with the start-up and reliability of our solutions, enables us to propose our moulds at a higher price without being blocked at entry in a market which revolves around price."
P.E.T. Engineering has decided to invest in its own technology centre, with an investment of around €2.5 million, which will provide the staff with new laboratories, larger prototype production and assembly areas, as well as relaxation areas and practical and comfortable common areas for personnel to use.
FDF sets out ingredients for a successful 2015
The food and drink manufacturing industry is committed to strengthening its industrial partnership with Government to deliver long-term, sustainable growth in the UK’s largest manufacturing sector.
At an industry reception, the Food and Drink Federation reaffirmed its ambition to grow sustainably by 20% by 2020 by continuing to grow UK exports and foster innovation, in partnership with government. The creation of a long-term, industry-led skills strategy and support for robust voluntary frameworks which incentivise industry action is also needed to deliver public health and environmental benefits.
The event builds on ‘Ingredients for Success: Delivering Sustainable Growth Beyond 2015’, FDF’s agenda for working in partnership with government post-election launched in the summer.
Fiona Kendrick, CEO and Chairman of Nestlé UK and Ireland, was formally appointed FDF President-elect at the event, successor to Richard Evans, President of PepsiCo West Europe & South Africa Region. Fiona Kendrick says, “The food and drink industry has much to be proud of. We are determined to remain world-class with our products sought around the globe so our industry and the economy can enjoy continued export growth. Innovation, creativity and skills will unlock the next generation of product and process development that will help us improve employment, productivity and competitiveness.
“In my new role as FDF President I look forward to building on the sector’s many successes to date and strengthening our ability to grow sustainably by 20% by 2020 in partnership with Government and other players.”
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, pictured, who delivered the event’s keynote address, said, “The UK’s food chain is an economic powerhouse worth a record £103 billion and employing one in eight people. Our food and farming industry is exciting, dynamic and at the forefront of technology and innovation - I want to ensure we support it to remain world beating.
“The Food and Drink Federation plays a crucial role as the voice of UK food and drink manufacturers and I thank them for the continued work which is helping drive this industry’s ongoing success.”
