to form a dominant palletising and materials handling solutions group in Europe. Leading European distribution and palletising solutions company, FLSystems has announced its merger with a specialist logistics technology organisation, Newtec Group of France. Both organisations bring together a depth of industry knowledge and a combined portfolio of complementary products and services. The new EURO 18 million company will be called Newtec Alvey nv and will be part of a larger group of Newtec companies with a collective annual turnover of over EURO 70 million.
Maarten van Leeuwen will head up the company as Executive Director and General Manager when
Robert (Bob) Levison retires in the first half of 2008. Maarten van Leeuwen has been with FLSystems for some five years and was Financial & Administrative Director. He has gained a great understanding of the business and wealth of experience in dealing with customer needs across the various industry sectors. Apart from finance, Maarten's background covers project management and human resources and he holds university degrees in agricultural engineering and economics.
"The merger brings together two highly successful and complimentary organisations that provide Europe's best materials handling, palletising and bottle filling solutions. With Maarten van Leeuwen at the helm, Newtec Alvey is set to steer a course for further success. Customers can be assured that they will receive the quality of service and products they have become accustomed to over the years and will benefit from the enhanced strength the combined businesses bring to this specialised market," said Bob Levison, Managing Director, Newtec Alvey nv.
Robert (Bob) Levison has led FLSystems since 2002, although he had been involved with the business many years before through a marketing appointment and when he took on the day-to-day management of Alvey Europe as Managing Director in 1980. In 2004, Bob led a successful management buy-out of FLSystems.
He is a legendary and very well respected figure in the market. His legacy is the firm foundation on which the company has built its reputation for quality and service," said Maarten van Leeuwen, Executive Director and General Manager, Newtec Alvey nv.
Also the Sales and Marketing Director of FL Systems, Piet Debaene, will be retiring after almost 40 years with FLSystems and its predecessor Alvey Europe. Piet is known throughout the industry for his in-depth knowledge of palletising and distribution technology and has, over the years, designed and sold many large systems throughout Europe many of which are still in use after many years. Piet's position will be taken by Guido Vermeiren, Sales Manager, Benelux, who has been with the company in various technical and commercial positions for almost 26 years.
Newtec Alvey nv is now the dominant force for throughout the Benelux countries and France. In addition, the company is stepping up its presence in the UK with the appointment of new sales-team in the UK which has been the oldest market for FLSystems/Alvey products in the past. The new team comprises of Phil Cooper and
Phil Tolan. Together they bring more than 40 years combined experience of project-based sales to the organisation.
"With our outstanding record of success in Belgium, The Netherlands and France we have decided it is time to re-establish ourselves in our initial markets, the UK and Irish markets, with a new dedicated direct sales team. Phil Cooper and Phil Tolan bring a wealth of experience to our truly international team. We firmly believe that with our own direct sales team we can enjoy the same levels of success that we are having in Europe," concluded
Bob Levison.
Picture Caption:
From left to right: Maarten van Leeuwen, Executive Director of Newtec Alvey nv; Jean-Bernard Ihler, President and CEO of the Newtec Group of companies, Robert (Bob) Levison, Managing Director of FL Systems nv (retiring) and Piet Debaene, Marketing and Sales Director of FL Systems nv (retiring)
About Newtec Alvey
The new company uses the resources, expertise and knowledge of the former FLSystems, Alvey Europe and SES in designing, constructing and installing larger economic and reliable solutions for internal transport and palletising operations. Customers have included Diageo, Carlsberg and PepsiCo. Solutions are suited to packaged goods as well as pallet loads, for the distribution and production sectors, including after sales service and maintenance. Newtec Alvey now has over 40 years experience in the palletising market and has an impressive client list in many different industries, including beverage, mail order, express parcels, printing and paper industry, (frozen) food industry, beverage industry, distribution, automotive, chemical industry and pharmacy.