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26 January 2012 08:54
BUSINESS
Apprentice manages India trade mission for Luxus
Alex Clarke, a senior graduate apprentice with Lincolnshire recycler Luxus, has been tasked with managing the company’s presence at the British Plastics Federation’s trade mission to India next month.
For Luxus the aim of the mission is to establish a strategic partnership with a plastics compounder, enabling it to open up new automotive markets for its high performance thermoplastic compounds. Luxus will also be present on the BPF stand at PlastIndia 2012, an international trade exhibition on the 2nd-3rd February in NewDelhi.
With the support of the UK Trade & Investment to help research potential businesses, Alex has so far identified six compounders able to both produce material samples to the required technical standard and who possess the right criteria for a long-term future partnership.
Pete Atterby, Managing Director, Luxus, says, “It‘s vital that we give our apprentices the best opportunity for success, as we reply on their talent for the future of the business. That’s why we have chosen Alex to project manage this important joint venture project.
“India has benefitted from unprecedented growth recently with demand for polymers rising sharply, largely fuelled by its automotive industry. We believe that outside Europe, India offers a key market for our expanding export business.
“As we move towards National Apprentice Week next month, we hope to encourage more apprentices, both non-graduate and graduates to consider plastics manufacturing as a future career. The Luxus Academy offers opportunities for both graduates and non-graduates right across the business. In 2012 we are looking for at least two new apprentices to join us.”
“We have been pleased to work with UK TI on this project and I’ve been impressed by their proactive and timely response to assist Luxus in this project, which we believe has helped us to prepare in the best way possible to enter this new market.
Martin Fahy of UK Trade & Investment, says, “I’ve been working closely with Alex for the last two months, as he’s been overseeing the entire trip, from testing factory samples to arranging the logistics and itinerary for the week itself. He is always professional, hard working and has the necessary technical expertise to ensure this trip will be a success.
“I’m also pleased to be supporting an East Midlands based manufacturer that is highly innovative and delivers market leading products that really push the boundaries in its sector. Our foreign market contacts, expertise and funding will I’m sure enable Luxus to achieve its ambitions in India.”
As an apprentice with the Luxus Academy, Alex has spent the last 22 months gaining a comprehensive understanding of the company by working across different business operations from purchasing to logistics in addition to managing discrete business improvement projects such as this. Alex will join the management team when his apprenticeship finishes later this year.
Alex Clarke says, “I’m looking forward to meeting potential businesses first hand to see how best we can capitalise on this trip. Luxus has provided a great start to my career in the plastics industry. Being involved in key strategic decisions for the business offers both demanding and exciting opportunities."
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