Proton To Move UK Operation To Norfolk
Published: 17th July 2002
Proton Cars (UK) and Lotus Cars are both subsidiaries of the Malaysian car manufacturer, Proton.
The move to Norfolk will also provide both companies with additional skills and disciplines, which will be of benefit to both Lotus and Proton customers. Proton Cars (UK) already handles parts distribution and warranty processing for Lotus Cars and will continue to provide these services on site at Hethel.
Relocation will be phased over the next six to nine months to ensure minimum disruption to the Proton business. At present there are no plans to relocate Proton’s PDI facility at Bristol or its Parts Centre at Avonmouth.
To implement the relocation process and lead the UK Proton importer into an exciting era that will see the launch of three completely new model ranges in the next two years, a new Managing Director has been appointed.
Brian Collier takes over from Colin Low, who has returned to Malaysia to take up a senior management role at the Proton factory. Collier joined Proton as National Parts Manager in 1993 and for the past three years has held the position of General Manager, Customer Retention.
His extensive experience of Proton and his familiarity with many areas of the Lotus Cars operation will prove invaluable in all aspects of Proton’s UK business.
Collier explained that the relocation from Bristol to the Hethel site near Norwich is not expected to lead to any significant reduction of personnel within Proton Cars (UK), which currently has a staff of 90 people.
“We are hoping that as many of our skilled and experienced staff as possible will want to make the move to the exciting new environment that awaits us at Hethel,” he said, “but where that is not possible, we will recruit locally.”
Proton also recognises the need for both car franchises to work closely together in future to ensure success and that this will be more easily achieved through both companies working from one UK base.
As well as the launch of new products in the small and medium car sectors, the first of a new family of high technology engines developed for Proton by Lotus Engineering will be phased into production next year, giving improved performance and flexibility with even greater economy.
As a division of Group Lotus, Lotus Engineering is a world leading engineering consultancy providing services to the global automotive industry. Future Proton products will benefit from the incorporation of Lotus DNA.
All these new models will be produced in Proton’s new modular manufacturing
plant currently under construction at Tanjung Malim in Malaysia. This
plant will enable Proton to substantially increase output of all models
to meet future demand.
