GE Plastics: “Brabant understands the needs of industry”
General Electric Plastics, a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest companies, has its Dutch head office – a site housing 11 plants - in Bergen op Zoom, in the Province of Brabant.

The proximity of various seaports, the international character of Dutch society and Brabant’s strong focus on industry give GE Plastics the feeling that Bergen op Zoom is the right place to be.

Photo: Ad Vos, Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs at GE Plastics

Important raw material

One of the products made by GE Plastics in Bergen op Zoom is polycarbonate pellets, a primary high-quality plastic. These are used in the production of CDs, DVDs, computer housings, dashboards, bumpers and as a transparent roofing material for football stadiums, such as those of the renowned clubs Feyenoord and Ajax.

Large-scale users of the products of GE Plastics include the automotive industry, the producers of a diverse range of appliances, and the building industry.

GE Plastics serves customers all over the world, from Europe (Germany, Finland – Nokia! – and England) and the Middle East to Africa and China.

Choice for Bergen op Zoom

Ad Vos, Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs at GE Plastics, explains that the history of the site in Bergen op Zoom goes back to 1971, when GE started a joint venture with AKZO Vezels there.

At the time, the Dutch government pursued an active business location policy for a number of regions, including west-Brabant. Ad Vos adds: “We produce salty waste water so we needed a saltwater location, which is the case in Bergen op Zoom. And the seaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, where many producers of base chemical producers can be found, were conveniently located for the supply of raw materials. Also, the renowned language skills of the Dutch played a role in the choice for establishment. When finally the employees expressed their willingness to live in Bergen op Zoom, the decision was an easy one to make.”

Although the joint venture did not last long, GE Plastics stayed in Bergen op Zoom.

Transport and logistics

GE Plastics transports much of its raw materials by water so that it has less hinder from traffic congestion. Ad Vos notes, however, that GE Plastics produces to customer specifications, meaning that volumes can vary greatly, a factor that can make transport a challenge.

Fortunately, some of the suppliers of GE Plastics are located nearly, a few in the immediate surroundings in fact. An example is the plant of the gas producer Air Liquide, which is actually housed on the GE Plastics site.

The government must act quickly

Ad Vos is clear about the importance of good infrastructure, by definition one of the government’s main responsibilities: “Compared with the emerging markets, China and India, we are way behind in terms of speed of decision and action. While the construction of roads and industrial complexes in the Netherlands is a time-consuming process, the Chinese manage to realise an enormous container port in Shanghai in a matter of years. Also, a lot has to be done in terms of deregulation. Bureaucracy is a serious impediment to profitable business and a serious cost item for the government. There is much to be gained by both parties in this area.”

“Fortunately,” he immediately adds “the government, at various levels, has recognised the need for good initiatives, “A good example is an initiative for deregulation at 11 Brabant municipalities here in the region. The important thing now is to avoid drawing out the discussion with unending consensus processes, but to move ahead with actual measures. Honestly though, as a company we have few complaints about our cooperation with the local and provincial authorities here in Brabant. Also, we receive a great deal of support from the Foreign Investment Agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.”

Rising education level

While the workforce of GE Plastics remains largely the same in terms of numbers, the education level is gradually rising from secondary to higher education. GE Plastics is nevertheless having no problems in finding employees with the required qualifications. Ad Vos: “Here in the Netherlands, we maintain good contacts with Erasmus University and Delft Technical University, both of which are not far from here. But we also recruit at a European level, like engineers in Ireland.”

If you like sailing…

“West-Brabant is an excellent place to locate your company, at least if you like sailing”, jokes Ad Vos. But, he admits, the proximity of the seaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, also major industrial centres, is at least as important.

“And the life style here is good, people enjoy living here”, he concludes, “And let’s not forget the fact that the Province of Brabant has a strong focus on industry. People here understand the needs of industry.”