As Clextral enters 2015 full of plans and optimism, we can assess the positive outcomes of the previous year. Having dedicated 22 years to leading Clextral, Georges Jobard has decided to retire. On 1st January 2015 he passed the baton to Guillaume Pasquier (right), a member of the Legris-Industries Executive Board to which Clextral has belonged since 2007 and who has followed Clextral’s development ever since. Guillaume Pasquier will rely on the seniority of two Vice-Presidents, namely Georges Hallary and Gilles Maller, to ensure the company’s growth is pursued with an objective of continuity and trust.
Innovation and business development dominated Clextral’s agenda in 2014, although the economic environment did not favor industrial investment.
Innovation in 2014 took the form of Evolum+ ®, a new generation of twin screw extruders, combining high productivity and low energy consumption. Evolum+ ® has already been chosen by two global food industry leaders.
Innovation was also collaborative, as Clextral partnered with the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Center (Canada) to present how plant-based fibrated protein can be a pleasing substitute to meat protein. On 23rd October Clextral hosted a workshop for 13 companies from 11 different countries, including sampling and tasting of fibrated proteins, whose appearance, texture and taste are identical to meat and fish.
As for international growth, Clextral sold complete production lines in the emerging zone of Central America, in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Clextral’s international market share continues to progress, as the steadily increasing number of foreign visitors to the Firminy plant attests: 730 visitors from 40 countries in 2014.
Expertise was another focal point in 2014 for Clextral, as its experts toured the world to conduct conferences and courses, educating professionals on how to apply extrusion technologies, operate couscous lines and DKM pumps.
There are exciting prospects for 2015: on the innovation side, Clextral is continuing to develop EPT™ technology (Extrusion Porosification Technology) in its Australian facilities, making plans to open new facilities on the West Coast of France and working on other projects in Europe.
Clextral will exhibit at around fifteen trade shows around the world, including Ipack Ima in Milan, Italy and Victam in Cologne, Germany. Clextral plans to take on 30 new staff to address the increase in sales.
Looking further ahead, Clextral will continue to invest in the 2020 Ondaine project. Its objective is to transform this historic metal manufacturing area into an innovative manufacturing zone that will renew the local economy.
Visit the Clextral websiteHERE.
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