Over 140 customers from 21 countries today attended the virtual opening of Zotefoams’ new state-of-the-art plant located in Brzeg in south-west Poland. In a key strategic move to increase global capacity and optimise service levels for many customers in continental Europe, the 13,000 m2 facility, which has been under construction since February 2019, commenced production this month. The webinar offered an exclusive glimpse of the £23million (€25million) plant and the opportunity to hear from David Stirling, Group CEO, on how the expansion plans will benefit Zotefoams’ customers, why the company chose Poland as a preferred location and further plans for 2021, which also marks the centenary of Zotefoams’ unique manufacturing process.
David remarked, “The location of the new plant is key to increasing flexibility and responsiveness through integrated global capacity. Zotefoams has significant foam production capability in the UK, the USA and now in central Europe, meaning that we are better placed than ever to serve our customers globally.”
The new plant adds 50,000m3 - an increase of some 15% - to Zotefoams’ annual global foam production capacity and the 8-hectare site is large enough to accommodate significant future expansion. With on-site storage for up to 15,000m3 of foam the best possible service for customers is assured. Brzeg is close to trans-European road and rail networks and within easy reach of many customers and European manufacturing hubs.
The plant will initially produce foams in Zotefoams’ AZOTE® polyolefin foams range, for which there is significant established demand in Europe. The engineering polymers that form the basis of ZOTEK® high-performance foams will continue to be manufactured in the UK.
“With a post-COVID recovery forecast in many markets this year, it is vital that Zotefoams and its customers are able to respond quickly as demand returns and new projects emerge,”
says David. “With Brexit now behind us and its impact lessening by the day, the availability of manufacturing and stockholding facilities in Brzeg couldn’t have come at a better time. We are excited about the opportunities this creates for Zotefoams and its customers.” Read more
