Производитель пластика Formica сократил убытки на фоне роста продаж в Великобритании и Европе

Formica narrows losses as sales rise in UK and Europe Plastic manufacturer Formica has reported an improving financial picture despite falling to a fifth consecutive year of losses. The North Shields company – which has been a fixture on the Coast Road for more than 70 years – has released accounts for 2025 in which its revenues increased from £35.7m a year earlier to £41.4m. Over the same period, the company’s operating loss narrowed from £8.3m in 2024 to £5.7m. A breakdown of sales shows that more than half the company’s income (£28.1m) came from exports to Europe, with £13.2m of sales in the UK. Formica has been restructuring its operations in the North East over the last few years, with headcount at the factory more than halving since 2018. The new accounts put the company’s employee numbers at 232, a slight rise on the previous period. The company has also been remodelling the Coast Road site, knocking down a number of buildings that are no longer in use. Restructuring costs of £300,000 are recognised in the accounts that relate to the demolition of the Finished Goods Warehouse at North Shields. In the accounts, the company says it is “continuing to focus on its North Shields facility”, adding that “whilst reducing the factory footprint we believe through modernisation and centralisation we will be able to support future growth in a controlled manner and therefore benefit from an improved operating leverage.” The directors add: “Formica Limited has completed a number of projects as part of a significant investment programme at its North Shields site, resulting in a reduced cost footprint. Meanwhile, the company has taken steps to strengthen its commercial margin. “Along with other actions such as administrative cost reductions and commercial and operational synergies with sister companies in the group, the financial run-rate of the company is improving and is expected to continue to improve, driven by the market demand as well as ongoing commercial and marketing initiatives.” The Formica product dates back to 1913 when an employee of US-based Westinghouse filed a patent for process to make laminated insulators. The North Shields plant has been part of the Dutch Broadview Holdings group since 2018 after it was bought in an $840m deal from previous owners Fletcher Building, which is based in New Zealand. In March, Formica’s third party UK sales business was also sold to Broadview.