Zele (Belgium), 20 Mars 2013
Ontex announced today to employee representatives a plan to regroup its current industrial production sites in the North of France, securing its future growth potential in France. The project consists of grouping its two current sites, Arras and Wasquehal, into a new site that would be located halfway between the current locations. This new site would allow Ontex to further improve its production apparatus and better serve its French and international customers.
This project would secure the total workforce for the combined plants. At the new site, the same working conditions would apply as in the current locations, so the only change would be the state-of-the-art facility in which to operate.
At today’s extraordinary Works Council, the group has presented this centralisation project to the workers’ representatives. Ontex will now start an information and consultation process with workers in light of the importance to its production in France. For Ontex, this centralisation means a major strategic turn offering longer term perspectives in the adult incontinence market.
Ontex is a key player in hygienic disposables, offering a wide range of products for babycare (private label & branded), feminine care and adult incontinence. The group employs close to 4,600 staff in 14 countries across the globe, and is headquartered in Belgium.
Ontex Healthcare in France operates two sites in the North of France, in Arras and Wasquehal (Lille Healthcare), employing a total of 333 staff. Both sites specialise in adult incontinence products for hospitals and distributors.
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Media Relations:
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Investor Relations:
Severine Camp
Devina Artley +(44) 20 7614 2900
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