| South Cheshire based flooring manufacturer Flowcrete | | | | said: "South Africa is a key market for us. It is enjoying |
| Group has reinforced its position as a major | | | | high growth in the construction sector and we are now |
| international player with the opening of a new base in | | | | in a good position to tap into these projects. |
| South Africa. | | | | "The new factory also fits in well geographically with |
| For the third time in four years the company has | | | | our manufacturing plant in Malaysia, with the location of |
| expanded in the country, opening a new manufacturing | | | | both plants enabling us to cover the Middle East, down |
| plant in Durban. | | | | into Africa." |
| With an investment value totalling around US$1.3 million, | | | | Flowcrete has grown into a global specialist flooring |
| the new 3,500 square metre facility represents a | | | | market leader, spanning 26 countries, with 12 |
| major platform for growth for Flowcrete within Africa | | | | manufacturing centres of excellence located in the UK, |
| and will increase manufacturing capacity by 50 per | | | | Scandinavia, Europe, South Africa, Asia, South and |
| cent. | | | | North America, all operating a 'think global, act local' |
| Flowcrete South Africa now employs over 70 people | | | | philosophy. |
| at three centres of operation in Durban, Johannesburg | | | | The company achieved a record performance for |
| and Cape Town, focusing on specialist seamless | | | | 2007, with sales of over $85 million and profits of $7 |
| epoxy and polyurethane resin flooring. | | | | million. |
| These operations support a customer base of over | | | | Innovation is cited as being at the core of its success. |
| 200 companies and deliver a turnover of US$10 million | | | | Recently Flowcrete has pioneered floors that fight |
| per annum. A substantial proportion of the business is | | | | superbugs including MRSA and C. diff at ground level |
| construction chemicals and corrosion protection | | | | using the natural power of silver - making them the |
| products, in particular abrasion resistant linings for use in | | | | ideal platform for hospitals, nursing homes and other |
| the mining industry, coatings for galvanised structures | | | | sensitive hygiene areas including food and |
| and a wide range of acid resistant linings and coatings | | | | pharmaceutical environments. |
| for use in the petrochemicals and piping industries. | | | | An ultra fast-track two-hour floor concept is |
| The official opening was marked with a ceremony | | | | revolutionising installation projects, while |
| conducted by guests of honour Mr Harry Gazendam, | | | | sound-absorbing systems make noisy neighbours less |
| Vice Chairman of Toyota South Africa, along with the | | | | challenging. Efficient underfloor heating - and even light |
| Deputy Mayor of Durban Mr Logie Naidoo. | | | | reflective floors that cut down on energy bills - have |
| Mark Greaves, managing director of Flowcrete Group, | | | | also been introduced. |