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[October 2000]
Qualceram PLC - Qualceram Shires Statement
Streamlining of Qualceram Shires Operation Announced
Following a detailed review of the Shires Group by Irish bathroom manufacturer, Qualceram (which last month completed the acquisition of Shires), Qualceram Shires PLC announced today, Tuesday 17th October 2000, that it is to seek up to 80 redundancies from within the UK operation. The Group also announced that it intends to sell its distribution centre in Elland and consolidate distribution at the Shires distribution centre in Bradford.
The Group has taken every effort to minimise redundancies and comprehensive discussions between senior management and employees' representatives will take place over the coming weeks to address the issue.
Qualceram Shires is committed to maintaining its production facilities in the United Kingdom and in Ireland. The long term objective is to service each of the Group's main markets, Ireland and the UK, from production facilities in the relevant market. To achieve this and to enhance and improve overall customer service, the Group is focusing on integrating production across its manufacturing facilities in Ireland and the UK.
The Shires Group manufactures ceramics, acrylics, shower enclosures and fire clay from its production facilities in Longton and Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent, Bradford; Rochdale, Yorkshire; and Darwin, Lancashire. In addition to the home market, the Group also exports to Asia, Africa and America.
Shires Ireland operates from a distribution centre in Tallaght, Dublin and distributes Shires Group products as well as a wide range of complimentary products such as brassware and shower valves. The Group also operates a distribution centre in Belfast, servicing the Northern Irish market.
Qualceram, based in Arklow, Co. Wicklow is Ireland's sole producer of bathroom suites, producing ceramics, acrylics and bathroom furniture. The enlarged Qualceram Shires Group is listed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange.
Commenting, Qualceram Shires' Chief Executive, Mr. John O'Loughlin said: "Following Qualceram's acquisition of the Shires Group, a comprehensive review of the operation took place. It is apparent that in order to improve and build on the Group's competitive advantage, synergies both within the Shires companies and across the enlarged Group have to be achieved. Redundancies are also regrettably necessary. Over the coming month, we will seek to minimise these and every effort will be made to assist individuals made redundant, to find alternative employment. We are confident that at the end of this process, the Group will be on a firm footing to maximise its competitive advantage across all markets."
ENDS