20th Mar 2006 12:41
Smiths Group PLC20 March 2006 PRESS RELEASEIMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday 20 March 2006 Smiths Medical announces intention to end manufacturing in Hythe Smiths Medical has announced its intention to transfer 534 manufacturing jobsfrom its facility in Hythe, Kent. The majority of the proposed job transferswill move to existing Smiths Medical manufacturing facilities in Mexico.Proposals were put to the workforce today that are likely to see manufacturingat Hythe end within two years. The company has, however, reaffirmed the role of Hythe as the headquarters ofSmiths Medical International and as its centre of excellence for airwaymanagement and reproductive health products. These activities are expected toemploy around 220 people engaged in R&D, finance, marketing and other supportservices. Hythe will also see the creation of a new European shared servicecentre. This announcement marks the next important step in Smiths Medical'srationalisation programme that follows its acquisition of Medex in March 2005.Over the past two months the company also announced the closure of two USmanufacturing facilities in Duluth, Georgia and Wampsville, New York withproduction transferring to other Smiths Medical locations in the US. Martin Jamieson, Managing Director Smiths Medical International said: "This moveis driven by the global competitive environment for our business. Ourcompetitors have all made similar moves to low-cost countries, which makestoday's announcement unavoidable. We are sorry that this will affect many of ouremployees and their families but pleased that Hythe will still offer employmentto more than two hundred people in some key functions. We will, with immediateeffect, commence a consultation and communication process with employees andtheir representatives " Notes to the Editor Smiths Group Smiths Group is a global business, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Smithsfocuses on high performance applications, building and sustaining market-leadingbusinesses in growth sectors. Smiths has four divisions: Aerospace, Detection,Medical and Specialty. Together these employ 32,000 people at over 250 majorfacilities in 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths-group.com Smiths Medical Smiths Medical is a supplier of specialist medical devices to global markets.Smiths Medical comprises three product groupings: Safety Devices, Critical Careand Medication Delivery & Patient Monitoring (MDPM). Smiths Medical customersinclude hospitals and other healthcare providers worldwide. Manufacturing isconcentrated in the US, the UK, Mexico and Italy. Smiths Medical employs nearly7,500 people. Press Contacts Chris Fox Rachel LankesterDirector, Group Communications Manager, Group Communications+44 (0) 20 8457 8403 +44 (0) 20 8457 8403 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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