Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group to close manufacturing plant in Pointe-Claire, Canada
Alongside the ongoing improvement programs towards higher level performance, Bekaert has determined a number of actions to address structural changes in the market environment. Some of those changes are caused by the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on economies and demand patterns, while others are a result of sector-specific competitive developments.
In addressing these structural changes, the company is enhancing the effectiveness of its operating model and process efficiencies across the business, while continually evaluating the set-up and usage of the footprint in view of driving sustainable value creation.
As part of this global approach and of the strategy of Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group (BBRG) to improve its operational footprint, the company has decided to consolidate the North American ropes platform in the US and phase out the production activities in Pointe-Claire, Canada, by the end of May 2021.
All North American manufacturing and servicing activities will be centralized in Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania, US) and Oakland City (Indiana, US) and be extended with capacity additions and technological capabilities. This set-up has been designed to ensure long-term competitiveness by better leveraging scale, synergies, and efficiencies. In its future set-up, the company will continue to serve the customers of BBRG’s Canadian Wire Rope Industries (WRI) plant from other manufacturing sites in the US and Europe.
The decision to close the plant in Canada will affect 145 employees. The management regrets the personal consequences of this decision and will diligently evaluate the options to mitigate the social impact.
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