Blasting it in in Poland

The Wheelabrator Group has unveiled plans for a new €7 million manufacturing facility in Poland, accelerating its expansion plans into central and eastern Europe.

Due to be operational by the end of the year, the 35,000 sq m site in Wrzesnia, near Poznan, will manufacture its complete line of surface preparation equipment and components. The new facility will augment the production capacity of Wheelabrator’s existing Zagorow manufacturing operation and employ 200 staff at its peak capacity.

This move is the cornerstone of the company’s regional expansion strategy and was the basis for Mid Europa Partners’ investment in Wheelabrator Group last year.

Robert E. Joyce Jr, president and CEO of Wheelabrator Group, said: “Wheelabrator’s three targeted regional growth areas are Asia, India and central Europe. Our investment in Wrzesnia is the first step in establishing a strong local presence in these strategic growth markets."

Andrew Carmichael, senior vice president Wheel & Air Technology Centres, at Wheelabrator Group added: “We already have a small plant in Zagorow, near Konin, but needed a larger regional facility with an “on-the-ground” presence to fully support our burgeoning order book."

Wheelabrator Group has teamed with Belgian developer IIG (a specialist in industrial buildings) to build the new facility. The land has been purchased from the local city council. When the new facility is fully operational, Wheelabrator Group’s total employment in Poland will exceed 300 people.

Employing more than 1,200 people in over 20 countries worldwide, Wheelabrator Group owns, designs, manufactures and provides wheelblast, airblast, wetblast and mass finishing equipment for surface preparation and cleaning. It also supplies washing, degreasing and ultrasonic cleaning systems, blast media, spares and consumables.

The group serves a wide range of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive industries, precision engineering and medical sectors, as well as the more traditional rail, shipyard and foundry industries.