Bromyard Automotive site to close

(Jan. 2, 2002) Hydro Automotive Structures UK will close its Bromyard site in the second half of 2002.

Hydro Automotive Structures UK Ltd. will transfer all its business from Bromyard to the company's other production facility in Worcester during the first nine months of 2002, says managing director Derek Sweeney. The transfer will begin in January.

"We will progressively build up stock (on existing products) to allow us to move the equipment," says Sweeney, adding that the company also intends to "reorganise our structure to focus our efforts better on supporting our production activity."

As a direct consequence of these changes, Hydro Automotive Structures UK Ltd. will reduce its organisation by 20 to 30 employees.

"These changes combined with our sales growth of some 40 percent in 2002 will dramatically improve our financial performance going forward and, therefore, long-term prospects," says Sweeney. "I feel comfortable that with the environment we already have in Worcester, we will be able to create a world-class production environment."

Today, Hydro Automotive Structures UK Ltd. delivers aluminium components to the automotive industry from its two facilities in Worcester and in Bromyard. Current products supplied from Bromyard include the bumper beam for the BMW Mini.

The Bromyard site, which consists of a production area and office facilities, has been operated in various guises as an automotive supplier since 1970, and has been part of the Hydro organisation since 1997. The site is located about 15 miles (22 kilometres) from its sister plant in Worcester.

For more information, contact Derek Sweeney at +44 1885 488 301.