News

21 June 2007

Cooper Coated Coil are pleased to announce a major EUR 2 million investment in the coil coating facility at the Wednesfield, UK.

Work is due to begin in autumn on an expansion of the coating line at our coating facility in Wednesfield, UK that will make it the widest and fastest high temperature coil coating line in the world. This is in fact the 2nd stage of an investment programme that started in 2005 and the total investment by stage 2 completion will be EUR 4 million.

Main features

Stage 1 investment

• increased the speed to an industry leading standard
• New oven technology provides the most efficient use of energy
• New generation emission control equipment ensures that we exceed our environmental obligations.

Stage 2 investment

• Increase the width capability to 950mm to allow multiple set ups and much improved line efficiency.
• Upgrading of all coil handling equipment to cater for larger coils.
• New steel & paint storage bay is being created from a newly acquired unit.

The effect of this investment upgrade at Wednesfield will be to increase the capacity & capability of the company to cater for all the demands of our traditional customers as well as potential new ones.

 To maximise the effect of these efficiencies, all work from the existing CCC line at West Bromwich will transfer to Wednesfield during the 1st Quarter of next year.

 The locations of the 2 plants in the centre of the UK near Birmingham are only 10km distance apart.

Timetable

• Up to November 2007              Coating continues at both plants
• November 2007                        Wednesfield plant will be passed over to the contractors for installation.                                    
• Nov 07 - February 2008            During this phase all production will come from the West Bromwich plant.
• January 2008                             Wednesfield plant will be commissioned.
• Jan – Mar 2008                          Work will be switched over from West Bromwich plant to Wednesfield plant on controlled basis.
•  Mar – Apr 2008                         West Bromwich plant will close with 100% supply coming from the Wednesfield plant.

The management of the company and processes will remain the same. Our customers will be dealing with the same familiar experienced people they always have as such a move will need to be well co-ordinated and managed.

This investment puts the company at the forefront of coil coating technology & supply efficiency and confirms our intention to remain there for the long-term for the benefit of our customers.

Steve Tomlinson

Sales Director