The rapid concentration process taking place within the European automotive supplier industry was a central topic at K ´98 in Düsseldorf. And, during the trade fair, a further announcement was made by two leading plastics processors (who, surprisingly, were not even present as exhibitors at the trade fair): the two French companies of Plastic Omnium (HQ: rue du Parc 1, F-92593 Levallois) and Inoplast (F-07340 St. Desirat) have founded a joint venture under the name of Inoplastic Omnium that will be concentrating on special plastic body parts, such as bonnets, boot lids and tailgates. The two companies view this joint activity as a response to the automotive industry´s call for ready-to-install modules and a global presence. The processing method is referred to as “multi-technology”, combining thermoset processing (Plastic Omnium) and the production of thermoset parts, with the chief focus on SMC (Inoplast).

Inoplast is one of the biggest French GRP processors with a payroll of 850 and sales of some FRF 650m.

READER SERVICE: 1997 Plastic Omnium Annual Report, with financial section (English): PIE-No. 42773.