Europe's No 1 adhesive tape manufacturer, tesa, is to change the name of its UK subsidiary from Beiersdorf UK Ltd to tesa UK Ltd with effect from May 1st 2001.

This move follows the separation of the adhesive tape activities previously run as tesa Division of Beiersdorf AG, in Hamburg, Germany, into a wholly owned subsidiary called tesa AG.

Speaking in Germany, Dieter Steinmeyer, tesa AG board member said: “This transition is part of a corporate strategy designed to open up a world-wide future for the Beiersdorf Group. By focussing on core competences and the development of new technologies that can be applied to processes, products and systems, we expect to increase our competitive edge and build on the success of the business.”

Germany is to become the centre for tesa tape technology. Major investments focused on non-solvent technologies are currently being realized. This knowledge base will be extended internationally in research facilities located in North America and Asia/Pacific and in our international manufacturing facilities. At present there are 50 affiliate companies but the plan is to increase the number of business partners on a global scale to reinforce tesa AG’s position as the world’s second largest producer of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes.

tesa UK Ltd will be a 100% owned subsidiary of tesa AG and remain at its present location in Milton Keynes. No staff changes are envisaged at this time.

However, the change will have significant impact on the running of the UK Company. From May 1st tesa UK will be independent and take total control of its finances and resources.

Steve Plastow, tesa UK Sales Director, said: “In effect this means we now have greater opportunity to shape our future. The shift will build on our financial strength and allow us more flexibility in the allocation of funds for capital investment. We will also have access to technical information on a global scale and this will impact on our research and development programme. These benefits will translate into more product innovation, faster to market times and enhanced service to customers. Using tape technology and centralised manufacturing resources in Germany we will be able to focus on marketing and selling in our key markets in the UK through our network of dedicated tesanet Distributors. Our new name, tesa UK, will empower our marketing and convey a clearer, and therefore much stronger, brand identity.”