Croda refocuses its European businesses
UK-based specialty chemical company Croda International is restructuring its European chemicals operations from a divisional to a market-driven structure with the aim of improving focus and accelerating growth. The change will come into effect from 1 January 2003, when the UK chemical manufacturing sites and all the UK and European mainland sales operations will be incorporated into a new company to be called Croda Chemicals Europe Ltd.
The European executive board will be headed by David Barraclough, who was previously responsible for the company's operations in Asia-Pacific. Keith Layden has been appointed managing director - personal care & healthcare.
'With this new structure we are in a better position to service our key markets,' said Barraclough, president, Chemicals Europe.
It will also allow additional focus on new product development and innovation - two of our main strengths.'
Specialising in natural products from renewable raw material sources, Croda has built up a strong portfolio of actives and has invested substantially in purpose-built plants. These include a GMP API ethoxylation unit, speciality lipid plant, and supercritical carbon dioxide chromatography facilities.