Dutch centre to back Zochem's global goals

Brampton, Canada – Zochem Inc., part of Horsehead Holding Corp.,  is embarking on a series of initiatives for 2016 to increase its presence in global markets outside of North America, the zinc oxide producer has announced.

The drive to enhance customer services and support will include the opening of a warehouse/distribution centre in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The plan, said Zochem, will build on recent investments to enhance production capacity and operational efficiency, as well as to improve customer service and logistics.

The Brampton, Ontario-based company already supplies into all the main world regions, but said it wants to further promote its products and capabilities worldwide.

With a capacity of 65 kilotonnes per annum and 50 full-time employees, Zochem claims to be the largest and most efficient zinc oxide operation in the world. In 2014, it reported pre-tax earnings of $13.6 million on sales of $145 million.

The global growth slowdown is threatening the viability of smaller, less efficient producers, according to Joshua Belczyk , Zochem general manager.

“Zochem, however, is poised to continue to excel in all areas by building on existing relationships, superior economies of scale and product purity, our highly skilled team of employees, industry-leading strategy and execution, and a strong balance sheet,” said Belczyk.