Lucite International named as one of Britain’s top private companies

9 Jul 2004 Southampton, UK

Lucite International is an excellent example of the way a high quality business can benefit as it moves from public to private equity ownership through focused investment.

Lucite International, forty-third in the Sunday Times Top Track 100 list, has established an enviable track record since being acquired from ICI at the end of 1999. Strong sales growth (40%) coupled with significant improvements in productivity and efficiency have raised operating profits from £8 million in 1999 to £69 million in 2003. At the same time the group has established the basis of future growth with China’s first world scale production facility under construction near Shanghai and the parallel creation of a revolutionary new technology, “Alpha”, for the production of acrylic products.

The group is already the established global leader in its field with a full suite of operations established around the world. Lucite International products are used in growth industries to create a diverse range of products including: spas, baths, paints, adhesives, signs, lighting systems and flat screen television and computer monitors.

Commenting on The Sunday Times article, Ian Lambert, CEO said, “Opportunities in the business are excellent. The new facility in Shanghai will increase our presence in this fast developing market and provide much needed additional supply in 2005. We are also selecting the site for the first full scale “Alpha” plant. This new technology enables us to grow faster with even lower production costs, achieving savings of over 40%. It is a very exciting time to be leading this business. We will continue to work with our employees, customers and suppliers on technology, innovation and productivity to assure our place at the forefront of the expanding world of acrylics.”

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