News

CP

Plastal is one of the leading suppliers of surface-treated, injection-moulded plastics for the European automotive industry. We have a wide range of skills, and our business extends over both exterior and interior parts and systems for cars and trucks.

We produce and surface-treat exterior and interior plastic components and take full responsibility for systems and functions. One major area is bumpers, where Plastal also takes an active part in safety development. In northern Europe bumpers and chromed grills dominate, while in the south our output focuses on interior parts and systems.

A number of Europe’s leading vehicle manufacturers have found Plastal to be a reliable and expert supplier. We see ourselves as a “one-stop shop” for exterior and interior components and trim parts. We develop, manufacture, paint, chromate and decorate, and have both the know-how and resources to deliver in sequence, just-in-time, as the customers need.

We have been in this field since 1934, then working with Bakelite materials. Our long experience and know-how is something all customers benefit from. Plastal can identify and recommend the correct materials to use as well as what good design can achieve to rationalise production and to keep costs low. We have a good platform to work from. We are opening up new market areas, and at the same time expanding our existing businesses.

CP

Looking forward, I anticipate a relatively modest growth in the European car industry, averaging around 1.5% per year, with growth concentrated in the eastern countries. China is on the move, as is Russia, Ukraine and Slovakia, which in the near future will be the biggest car producer, relative to the size of the country.

For Plastal, this will involve constant growth, in the near future by acquisition rather than by new production plants, which take some years to build into profitability. Nowadays every business must be nimble and agile, so proximity to the market is essential.

CP

For Iveco we injection-mould dashboards and glove compartments. We assemble and deliver complete dashboards including the support frame and instruments, all function-tested and calibrated. Interior components and parts are growing. We carry on discussions with several of Europe’s leading car and truck manufacturers.

CP

Our strategy is to refine our products by adding engineering and knowledge. That will give a growth in business and profitability. That’s why the surface treatment of plastic parts was started many years ago. We now look to supply complete systems, and to assemble different components into working units.

CP

You know, the process of painting plastics is pretty complicated! We say that painting plastics must put us on the fast track to heaven, because we have got our hell here on earth!

There must not be the smallest dust particle or the most insignificant little scratch on the surface, which has to be absolutely perfect before painting. The paint must not peel off in a car wash or fade, and also has to follow the plastic’s changing mechanical properties in all climates, from the hottest summer sun to biting winter cold. That places severe demands on the properties of the paint and the application processes. And bearing in mind there is first a primer coat and then perhaps two build coats and finally a top finish, it is easy to imagine difficulties arising.

I think Plastal should use BIC's skill and competence to a larger extent. We have been too reluctant to do this, as we always want to be the best and sort out problems by ourselves. We like to bring things under control by ourselves a bit too much.

CP

Producing bumpers is a special challenge. They must be able to deform under impact to a degree, and therefore be able to dent in and out, without the layers of paint cracking. The paint must be as flexible as the plastic. Neither plastic nor paint must crack.

Additionally, Volvo Cars and Saab both have a certain amount of rubber in their bumpers, and that puts further demands on the plastics and paints. Adhesion keeps BIC and Plastal busy together!

Then, when pedestrian safety legislation arrives in 2007, all cars must be designed so that, in an accident, the pedestrian will slide onto the hood and not under the car. This will imply further development of bumpers and maybe softer hoods. To underpin design for changes like these, our R&D includes fixing and support design, thickness of plastics etc. and crash tests as well as computer simulations.

CP

Today environment and pollution are top of the agenda. The car manufacturers are looking for solutions to reduce weight and decrease fuel consumption, in areas like wheel housings, boot covers, doors etc. Plastal contributes to this thinking, generating ideas and concepts, and pushing forward the development of interior components and parts. In the future, styling and colour will become a greater influence.

CP

We have cooperated with BIC for many years and we know their extensive competence in painting plastics. Our objective is to involve BIC, and other suppliers like tool producers, in an earlier phase in the development process. Then we can concentrate on our own special strengths and take advantage of each supplier’s competence in a more rational way.

Similarly, we see our customers benefit from our widening skills. Our ability to take full responsibility for both assembly and function enables the carmakers in turn to focus on other things. By concentrating on what each party is best at, design and styling will lead to a more comprehensive use of plastics and colouring, especially in areas where sheet metal is a challenge to shape.

Take, for example, the issue of colour. The colour styles are dictated by the car manufacturers, which can lead to unforeseen side-effects for themselves. Some shades and pigments are complicated to apply, which can lead to a marked change of shade after application. And in such a case, it is most useful to get in touch with BIC, and use their competence and skill, because they know that certain colours are more problematic than others. That’s why it is important to get input from the car manufacturers as soon as possible so that we can comment on reproducibility and influence them to change colour, before photography and publication of photos to the buyers.

So, if we are involved early enough, we can easily simplify some of their market research processes and eliminate problems for them. We can advise on the choice of materials and on how design features can lower production costs and enhance styling. In cooperation with BIC, Plastal can provide the market with styled and functionally-designed interior trims in vehicles of the future.

CP

I believe in a few key concepts. As a supplier you need to be responsive, quality-conscious and understand the meaning of cost efficiency. That goes for us in relation to our customers as well as for our demands on our suppliers. You have to move fast right through the complete chain, each party guaranteeing their own product development and quality. We can all benefit from that and concentrate on what we are good at. That will be cost effective and the savings can then be deployed for R&D to everyone’s benefit.

We can prevent unnecessary work by utilising each other’s competence and know-how. Duplicating work is a poor way to build wealth!