Ontex announces intention to restructure its production and distribution activities in Belgium, with strategic investment in refocused activity
2024年6月13日 - 3:25PM
Ontex announces intention to restructure its production and
distribution activities in Belgium, with strategic investment in
refocused activity
Aalst, Belgium, 13 June 2024 –
Today, Ontex Group NV (Euronext: Ontex), a leading international
developer and producer of personal care products, announces the
intention to restructure its Belgian production and distribution
activities, as part of its strategic transformation to strengthen
its competitive position in the European market. This intended
restructuring would entail the closure of the Eeklo site, as well
as the transformation of the Buggenhout site into a Center of
Excellence for research, development and production of medium &
heavy incontinence care products, enabled by investments in the
range of €40 million. The intended restructuring would lead to the
reduction of 489 employees in Eeklo and Buggenhout, bringing the
total workforce in Belgium to 569 positions, spread over the
Buggenhout and Aalst sites.
Gustavo Calvo Paz, Chief Executive Officer at
Ontex, confirms: “The intended transformation of our Belgian
operations is part of our transformation journey, with a clear
ambition to strengthen our competitive position. Ultimately, it is
our mission to continue to bring affordable care products to people
of all generations. It is our firm belief that the site in
Buggenhout can contribute to delivering on that promise by focusing
on selected adult care categories. We are convinced that our
substantial investment plan of around €40 million can enable our
teams to build a strong future for the site in
Buggenhout.”
In response to the increasingly competitive
personal care market, Ontex is implementing its global
transformation plan to strengthen its competitiveness, with a
strong focus on customer-centricity, sustainable innovation and
organizational and operational cost-efficiency. Since the launch of
the transformation plan, numerous initiatives have been
implemented, enabling the Group to improve its financial results.
These early results provide confidence to pursue the structural
transformation to regain and strengthen competitiveness.
The intended optimization of Ontex’s Belgian
production and distribution activities is an essential strategic
initiative aimed at strengthening Ontex’s operational
cost-efficiency across Europe. Consequently, Ontex today announced
its intention to transform its Belgian operations footprint by
exiting the Eeklo site and transforming the Buggenhout site into a
center of excellence for medium and heavy incontinence
products.
Ontex intends to invest an amount in the range
of €40 million spread over the coming years into its Buggenhout
centre of excellence, aiming to harmonize and modernize the
infrastructure and production lines for medium & high
incontinence, with high focus on automation. The R&D center and
commercial activities, including sales and customer services, would
remain in place.
The feminine and baby care products volumes
produced in Eeklo and the light incontinence products produced in
Buggenhout are intended to be relocated to other Ontex plants in
Europe, aiming for an optimal cost model to serve the retail and
healthcare markets.
The intended closure of the Eeklo site would
have an impact on all current 349 production-related employees, and
the intended reorganization of the Buggenhout site would impact 140
out of 528 employees. Today, the works councils in Eeklo and
Buggenhout were informed in line with the legal information and
consultation procedure. If – following consultation with the works
councils - the intention would be confirmed, the legal procedure
would be followed and Ontex would do its utmost best to offer
support to all employees involved. In Belgium, Ontex would continue
to employ 569 employees, based in Buggenhout and Aalst.
Jonas Deroo, Chief Human Resources Officer,
confirms: “We recognize that this is a difficult announcement for
our employees in Eeklo and Buggenhout and their families. Our first
priority now is to ensure they are well-informed and supported.
Also, throughout the process we aim for a constructive and
respectful dialogue with our social partners and, if the intention
of the restructuring would be confirmed, we expect to be able to
find appropriate supporting measures in the interest of all
affected employees.”
***
Contact information
- Investors Geoffroy
Raskin +32 53 33 37 30
investor.relations@ontexglobal.com
-
Media
Maarten Verbanck +32 53 33 36 20
corporate.communications@ontexglobal.com
About Ontex
Ontex is a leading international developer and
producer of personal care products for retailers and healthcare,
with expertise in baby care, feminine care and adult care. Ontex’s
innovative products are distributed in around 100 countries through
retailers and healthcare providers. Employing some 7,200 people all
over the world, Ontex has a presence in 17 countries, with its
headquarters in Aalst, Belgium. Ontex is listed on Euronext
Brussels and is part of the Bel Mid®.
ONTEX GROUP NV Korte Keppestraat 21 9320
Erembodegem (Aalst) 0550.880.915 RPR Ghent – Division Dendermonde,
Belgium
- Press Release Ontex June 13
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