Proseat seat cushions:
strategic location policy and product innovation
With its thirteen production sites in nine different countries, Proseat today is one of the largest seat cushion manufacturers for the European automotive industry. As the leading independent European car seat cushion manufacturer, Proseat is not only active in the production of seat components, but also possesses the necessary competence for the manufacture of finished products, such as headrests, armrests and side panels for car seats.
Proseat is the joint venture between Recticel and Woodbridge, Canada. Since 2007, this joint venture, following the contribution of Woodbridge’s seat cushion activities in the United Kingdom, is 51% controlled by Recticel and 49% by the Woodbridge group.
In response to the radical changes occurring worldwide in the automotive markets, Proseat in recent years has concentrated, on the one hand, on a dynamic location strategy by scaling down excess capacity in certain markets and offsetting this with expansion in the developing Eastern European regions (including via the joint venture with Johnson Controls in Lucenec (Slovakia) and Zory (Poland)), and, on the other hand, on standing out from its competitors through innovation and the development of new complex seat cushion components (including the lightweight, volume-reduced compact.foam, the improved surface structure comfort.sense foam, the combined PUR/EPP modules, the open-cell polyurethane foam bonded with fibreglass fleece CompoLite, etc.).
Despite its important position in the European seat cushion sector of the automotive industry, Proseat is aware that the present economic crisis and its impact on the automotive sector may also haveconsequencesfor the business management.  It is clear that the current circumstances are extremely challenging and problematic. But on the other hand, it has to be said that this also provides new opportunities which the Group shall try to turn to its advantage as efficiently as possible.
Proseat Facts & Figures:
| Market position |
One of the European market leaders in the production of moulded seat cushions for the automotive industry (market share about 22%, and in Central Europe about 27%); but together with Woodbridge world leader. |
| Market penetration |
At least 4 million cars are manufactured each year in Europe which incorporate Proseat components. |
| Volume of production |
134,000 units per day. |
| Alliances |
Gestind (in Italy and Poland; 50/50 Proseat/Toscana Gomma), the new production joint venture Johnson Controls in Poland and Slovakia. |
| Annual turnover |
2008 EUR 241 million. |
| Headquarters |
Mörfelden-Walldorf (Germany). |
| Number of production plants |
13 plants distributed in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. |
| Workforce |
About 2,000 people. |
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