JDR CABLE SYSTEMS LTD. ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION ON TWO CONTINENTS
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JDR Cable Systems (Holdings) Ltd., announces the addition of two new manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands (Rotterdam) and Thailand (Sattahip). In line with these major structural changes to the group, both existing business units have been re- named to reflect their unique core competencies and served markets.
In Thailand, the new facility for the JDR Umbilical Systems business unit (formerly called Oil & Gas, headquartered in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, England) will manufacture subsea production control umbilicals for markets in Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East as well as other parts of the world. “JDR can now provide a full spectrum of packages that address all types of thermoplastic umbilical requirements for our customers worldwide”, according to Patrick Phelan, Managing Director. The site, located in Sattahip, Thailand, is less than 100 miles south of Bangkok and will be housed in a 90 metre x 75 metre building, with access to 400 tonne heavy-lift cranes, and a 12 metre (39 feet) deep quayside for direct loadout to installation vessels. Specialized manufacturing equipment, including armoring line, cabling machine and extruders, has been purchased and will be installed in the second quarter of 2006 with first product deliveries scheduled for fourth quarter 2006. New braiding machines for increased hose manufacturing volume have also been purchased.
“The Rotterdam facility, a brand new purpose built factory at Krimpen, Rotterdam, will be available for move-in January 2007, and provide JDR’s Smart Solutions business unit (formerly known as Seismic & Defense) more than double the current production capacity. In addition, the new facility will provide production capabilities that will meet or exceed the ever demanding needs specified for our products,” says Han van Veen, Managing Director, adding “Equally important is the selection of a site within a few kilometers of the current factory in Capelle, ensuring continuity in maintaining our skilled workforce.” Concurrent investments are being made in new production machinery and extensive upgrades to existing equipment to provide further improvements to quality, efficiency and delivery times. The new site will house cable production, termination assembly, and Product and Installation Services along with sales, engineering, and administration of the Dutch BV.