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Sertec appoints new Vice President of Quality & Environment

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John Swinhoe has been appointed to the key strategic role and in doing so makes a welcome return to Sertec, having enjoyed a previously successful stint as Operations Director at the Coleshill based company’s, Hungarian plant.

Having spent two years overseeing operations at Sertec’s plant in Ászár, Koztarsasag, Hungary, John took up post as one of the senior management team at tier one automotive supplier WHS Plastics, based in Sutton Coldfield, last year.

In returning to Sertec, John brings with him over 35 years of experience and knowledge from working in the manufacturing and engineering sector, with over 25 years of that time spent in tier one automotive supplier roles.

In his new role at Sertec, John will have responsibility for the implementation of group processes and methodologies that deliver sustainable business performance and excellence and play a key role in the continuous improvement of current and future business ventures.

John said: “It’s great to be reunited with the Sertec team and I am really looking forward to starting the new role and the responsibilities that come with it.

“The two years I spent working in Hungary running the Sertec plant were among my career highlights to date, so it’s great to have the opportunity to return to Sertec at such an exciting time for the company.

“I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and playing my part in further enhancing the company’s reputation for manufacturing excellence and establishing Sertec as a key player in the EV sector.”

Grant Adams, Group CEO at Sertec, said: “John is an excellent addition to the team.

“We know from John’s time overseeing our Hungary plant that he is an experienced and highly capable operator, and his return is a welcome one at a strategically important time for the business.

“We have some exciting times ahead in 2021 and with John and other recent senior appointments, we are better equipped to take full advantage of our position in the automotive sector.”

Sertec Group Ltd operates across eight sites, with six manufacturing sites in the Midlands in the UK, one manufacturing site in Ászár, Hungary and one in Hückeswagen, Germany, plus a tooling technical centre based in Dongguan, China.

Sertec appoints new Chief Finance Officer

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Effective January 4th, 2021, Susan will oversee the company’s global finance and IT Teams, as well as management of cash flow, financial planning, treasury activities, and profitability.

Susan brings a wealth of cross-industry experience in accelerating companies’ growth and strategic business planning as well as the financial planning and controls and corporate governance. She has also held executive positions in a wide range of functional areas including finance, general management, and customer services. In more recent times, Susan has served as Vice President General Manager with profit and loss responsibility for entities in the UK, Europe, Asia region and North America.

Susan’s appointment will add to the Board’s diversity and experience. Alongside her fellow board members, Susan will be at the forefront of implementing a long-term, strategic plan for Sertec to increase its share of UK and European markets. This will include the company preparing for significant growth, accelerated through opportunities offered by EV and lightweight technology.

Susan, said: “I can’t imagine a more exciting and challenging time to join the Sertec family and to partner with the team in building the business through these very testing times”.

“With its innovation and points of difference in relation to EV and lightweight technologies, Sertec has a very bright future and I look forward to contributing to its future business successes.”

“We are excited Susan has chosen to join our growing team,” says Grant Adams, CEO of Sertec. “The wealth of experience and knowledge she brings to the role will benefit the business as we move into a new chapter of the Sertec story”.

“We have some exciting times ahead in 2021 and with Susan and other recent senior appointments, we are better equipped to take full advantage of our position in the automotive sector.”

Sertec Group Ltd operates across eight sites, with six manufacturing sites in the Midlands in the UK, one manufacturing site in Aszar, Hungary and one in Hückeswagen, Germany, plus a tooling technical centre based in Dongguan, China.

BGF backs Sertec for future growth

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Since BGF’s initial investment in 2016, the business has expanded its customer base, invested in new technologies and established a strong European footprint through acquisitions and new hires.

This year, Sertec has secured significant new contract wins in the electric vehicle (EV) and lightweight technology markets using it’s engineering expertise and innovative technology know how. The company has recently completed a world-class battery component assembly line in Coleshill.

Grant Adams, CEO at Sertec said: “We’re ambitious about continuing to grow the company and BGF’s additional investment allows us to build on the strong foundations we’ve put in place. We start 2021 with a strong balance sheet and exciting growth prospects in Europe underpinned by our recent hires. Juergen Schreiner joins as European Sales Director and Antal Mihalicz has been appointed Managing Director in Sertec’s Hungarian operation.

“Our technology positions us at the forefront of the sector to take advantage of the huge potential presented by the growing EV market in the UK and Europe.”

This investment news follows the appointment of Nick Sanders as Non-Executive Chair in May 2020. BGF investor Tom Horton said “BGF’s renewed commitment to Sertec is testament to the strength of the business’ leadership and ongoing investment in new technologies. In a very challenging year, the company has continued to secure significant, long-term contracts as it expands its customer base. We look forward to working with the team in its next chapter of growth.”

Sertec Group Ltd operates across eight sites, with six manufacturing sites in the Midlands in the UK, one manufacturing site in Aszar, Hungary and one in Hückeswagen, Germany, plus a tooling technical centre based in Dongguan, China.

DLA Piper advised the Company and Shoosmiths acted for BGF.

Sertec appoints new Managing Director for Hungary region

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Antal Mihalicz joins as Managing Director in Sertec’s Hungarian territory and brings with him a wealth of senior experience within the sector. He has over 30 years of automotive manufacturing experience including Operations Director at Novares, Managing Director of Hella Manufacturing in Hungary and Managing Director of Schefenacker Automotive Parts, which counted Audi, BMW, Ford, and Toyota amongst its client base.

Antal’s appointment is part of a long-term, strategic plan for Sertec in the region, with the company preparing for significant growth, accelerated by opportunities offered by EV and lightweight technology.

Antal, said: “I feel privileged to join the Sertec board and have the opportunity to play my part in growing the company’s share of the European market.

“I am looking forward to working with fellow Board members to implement our long-term plan for the region, showcasing Sertec’s innovation and point of difference and maximising the opportunities available to us within the EV and lightweight technology sector.

“There are huge opportunities for expansion and I look forward to working with the Sertec board and the wider team to deliver our business vision for the region.”

Grant Adams, CEO at Sertec, said: “Antal’s appointment is a significant addition to our Board, bringing with him new experience and skills that will help complement our existing team.

“He will play an integral part in establishing and growing our European footprint, as we seek to capitalise on the huge opportunities afforded by what we see as a ‘new industrial revolution in our sector. There is huge investment in the region for EV technology, including large manufacturers such as Audi, and we aim to be at the forefront of this new wave of innovation and development.

“We welcome Antal and look forward to working with him to achieve our vision for the business in the Hungarian territory and the wider EV and lightweight technology market.”

Sertec Group Ltd operates across eight sites, with six manufacturing sites in the Midlands in the UK, one manufacturing site in Aszar, Hungary and one in Hückeswagen, Germany, plus a tooling technical centre based in Dongguan, China.

Sertec appoints new European Sales Director

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Juergen Schreiner joins in his new role with extensive sector experience, spanning over 25 years in the automotive industry. His previous roles include Global Sales Marketing Director at Metsala, Director of Sales at Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies and Senior Director Sales Europe at Emcon Technologies.

Juergen’s appointment is part of an overarching business development plan to increase Sertec’s market share in the next three years. At the forefront of this expansion strategy is a plan to open a new technical sales centre in Germany.

The new technical sales centre will be headed up by Juergen, who will lead a sales team focused on meeting specific customer needs and driving sales across the European market.

Juergen, said: “Sertec are very focused in their ambitions for the European market, with a clear vision for what they want to achieve and with the capability to offer the complete package to their customers.

“They have extensive coverage of the European mainland markets, are at the forefront of EV technology and possess premium automotive insight borne out of years of experience in the industry.

“With such a clear set of ambitions and a well-established automotive engineering heritage, I feel privileged to be joining Sertec and look forward to playing my part in delivering their plans for expansion.”

Ben Higgins, Group Commercial Director at Sertec, said: “Juergen is an excellent addition to the team and the experience and knowledge he brings will prove to be a great asset in helping to take the business forward.

“He will lead our sales team from the new technical centre in Germany and will be at the forefront of our business development strategy.

“We welcome Juergen to the Sertec team and look forward to working with him to achieve our business vision.”

Sertec Group Ltd operates across eight sites, with six manufacturing sites in the Midlands in the UK, one manufacturing site in Aszar, Hungary and one in Hückeswagen, Germany, plus a tooling technical centre based in Dongguan, China.

Planning for a return to Business

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I want to thank Peter Pugh and Colin Bennett especially, for their hard work over the shutdown period getting the plants ready for this phased re-opening of our facilities.

This week we began bringing back Plant Managers and small working teams to ensure we have followed Government guidelines and the plants are safe working environments for our people to return to the workplace.

I am aware of some of our employees including Board members who have also fallen ill and some resulting in hospital stays. I am pleased to say they are all recovering which is great news. It is a reminder of how serious this Virus is, and just because the numbers are going down it is still out there!

For those of you who are concerned about returning to work I assure you , that we have taken every possible precaution we can and some of our Unite stewards have viewed these changes and were pleased to see we have taken the necessary precautionary measures.

I would also reiterate the point we made in the last briefing that Manufacturing is not one of those sectors restricted by the Government to open, see below statement from Secretary of State:

‘Manufacturing is a critical part of our economy and I would like to be clear that there is no restriction on manufacturing continuing under the current rules ’

  • The Rt. Hon Alok Sharma
  • MP Secretary of State
  • Department for Business

Our Group Health and Safety Manager Colin Bennett has prepared a comprehensive booklet guide for everyone returning to work which you will be supplied with on your return. You will see changes to the working environment both in the offices and shop floor where we would ask you to observe and abide by these instructions please.

This is going to mean changes and support from every one of you with all of the changes and I ask you to consider your own part in keeping the workplace safe for you and your colleagues and all of our families.

We will continue with home working for staff where possible but also introduce a rota system, so people get some form of personal interaction.

Colin will be carrying out a risk assessment for all of the offices and we will use the month of May to determine a safe working policy.

You will know by now that not all of you will be returning to work and at the moment, we cannot guarantee how many of you will return and when. This is dictated by Customer demand and also if there any further changes to Government policy.

The Board will review this on an on-going basis by Plant and for Sertec Group employees by Department, but the output from those plans will be a number of you will remain on furlough.

It is unlikely demand will return for a considerable amount of time, and there will be inevitable actions we will need to take to protect the business.

We do not want to lose jobs, but it will be dictated by this demand and how fast that returns. Any changes and proposals will be communicated through the proper consultations with Unions and works committees.

We have a very viable company before this Global crisis impacted on our business and we have also won substantial orders for future business including the EV project.

I want to thank everyone for their support in these difficult times and the personal sacrifices we have all had to make financially to keep the business running.

Be assured we are doing everything we can to provide a safe working place for you all to return to work and putting together a business plan to safeguard the Sertec Group.

In the meantime, please stay safe and abide by the Government advice and the message is we will get through this.

Grant Adams
CEO

Covid-19 Update

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1) Operations – Since stopping production at all UK plants on the 24th March we have been monitoring the Customer plans and schedules. The impact of the overall Customer operational schedules changes means that all UK plants will remain closed until week commencing 11th May 2020. This applies to all UK sites at:

SASB Heavy stampings & Wincaster House Operations, SLC Hams Hall, SAST Tyseley, SLS Aston, SPC Witton SSWF Redditch and Wincaster House Offices

Details of a phased return to work at all sites will be shared with all employees in the first week of May

There could be local variations to the general return date for specific projects. In this case individual employees will be contacted about a return to work on a different date to the general rule stated above

The Operations in Germany (SFB) are still ongoing but now operating on a reduced working week. Operations at the Hungary facility (SASH) are currently on stand down with the restart date still to be confirmed.

2) Furlough – The majority of our employees from all UK sites are following the Governments Job Retention Scheme which commenced on March 25th 2020 following the closure of all sites on March 24th 2020. The Company has concluded an agreement with the Unite Trade Union that supports both the business needs and ensures that the Government guidelines are followed.

3) Return to Work – As part of the new protection and safeguarding policy we will be reviewing the shift changeover and break time procedures at all sites in order to follow social distancing guidelines that are essential for the benefit of all employees. Each facility will be advised and will be party to the discussions to support the policy in due course.

4) Home Working – This process will continue for all relevant departments during the stand down period such as Payroll, HR, Commercial and Engineering. Personnel from other areas of the business may be required to attend work in the stand down period and individuals will be contacted as and when required.

5) Employee Welfare – We are aware of a small number of employees around the Group that have symptoms of the virus and are receiving appropriate medical care.

As valued members of the Sertec family we send our best wishes to everyone that is suffering ill health at this very difficult time and we wish everyone a speedy recovery in the coming days and weeks.

The up-to-date information as of today is that the employees affected are improving with several discharges from hospital, which is fantastic news and we sincerely hope that all employees can avoid the infection.

6) Help and Support – During this difficult time there could be ways that you could potentially ease any immediate financial concerns that you may have by contacting local councils, banks and building societies regarding payment holidays, plus you may need to cancel or defer memberships where the services are no longer available for you to use ie Gym membership, sky sports etc.

7) Developments – Sertec have registered with the British Government to support the development and supply of critical medical equipment (i.e. Ventilators) we are currently working with other British Companies to supply low volume structural components for these products. The project is at an early stage but we will dedicate time and effort into forming a partnership that can manufacture components that are critical to support our National Health Service.

We will keep you informed of the progress of this project in due course

8) Communication – We will endeavour to keep you informed by direct contact of any developments which will include any amendments to the ‘Return to Work’ plan as indicated above. It will assist this process if you are able to supply the business with your personal e mail address. Please supply your name, clock number, site and e mail address using HREnquiries@sertec.co.uk. Please also check the website – sertec.co.uk

Please ensure that you and your family members do your utmost to follow the Government advice on staying at home, social distancing as your contribution will help to save lives by restricting the spread of this terrible disease that has already affected so many families in our country and around the world.

The key factor throughout all of this very difficult period is that we all work together and on behalf of Board I want to thank you for your understanding and support. Please stay safe and we all look forward to returning to normal activities when the virus is under control.

Steve Moore
Group H.R. Director

New Fleet of Cars arrive at HQ

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The new cars had to be British made which narrows the choice significantly and also had to mimic our company colours, black and silver…

Well done to Matthew and the Purchasing team who have outdone themselves and sorted out 14 Mini Clubmans.

They are fantastic little cars – perfect for running around in but also eco-efficient for the environment. Thank you to Listers Mini who have gone above and beyond.

Announcement – Stephen Morley

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Stephen has been with Sertec since 1996 and has occupied several key positions over the years up to the present day, including being a Director in Engineering, Operations and New Projects. Most recently Stephen has been directly involved in the project management and development of the 540 and 590 JLR programmes in our Hungarian facility, which included extensive links to the UK and China Offices to ensure effective introduction of the new vehicle build plans in Austria.

As part of new Engineering developments within the automotive sector Stephen was also a key player in the introduction of pressed and welded Aluminium products for Sertec, that now feature on multiple JLR vehicles. This technology will form part of the short, medium and long term plans for Sertec as the business continues to progress in the future.

Stephen’s contribution to the sustained growth of Sertec is greatly appreciated by the main Board of Directors and Company Shareholders and we extend our sincere thanks to him for his services over the years.

Stephen has a considerable portfolio of Managerial, Engineering and Project experience in the automotive sector both in the UK and now in mainland Europe and we are sure that he will be able to utilise these valuable skills either within the automotive industry or in another market depending on personal choices.

Finally on behalf of all Sertec employees both in the UK and European operations we wish Stephen good luck for the future in the pursuit of a new career challenge.

Welcome to Andrew Rigg

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Andrew has an extensive 1st Tier Automotive background of over 30 years, starting off as a Technical Apprentice, followed by Production Engineering and then progressing to management level. Over the years Andrew has achieved many awards during his career, such as, MX Award Finalist for World Class Manufacturing and Six Sigma Black Belt.

Andrew joins us from ZF Lemforder where he has worked as a Production Manager for the last 5 years. His key skills include organising, planning, coaching and supporting teams, teaching and implementing lean practices and systems of work.

Over the next few weeks Andrew will be shadowing Richard Sadler whilst getting to know the team and our different sites.

Richard Sadler, Operations Director, stated: “Andrew is going to be a great asset to Sertec and more significantly to SAST with his knowledge and experience I’m sure he will settle right in and move the plant forward.”

I know you will join us in congratulating Andrew and welcoming him to the Sertec Team.