Henkel, Maynards Europe, IPP: Sustainable Plant Liquidation

Decommissioning factories - aka putting them out of operation - is something almost all manufacturers have to navigate. 

Often necessitated by broader manufacturing and business strategies, this is not a simple process. Waste needs to be handled and facilities will undergo vital dismantling and reworking.

If handled without care, this process can negatively impact the environment, disturbing the surrounding ecosystem and creating more materials that end up at landfill.

Henkel is highlighting the ideal approach manufacturers should take as it manages the closure of its Northern Italian factory, dedicated to detergent production.

Henkel embraces sustainability and circularity as major priorities, including in its factory closure. 

The manufacturer has entrusted Maynards Europe and International Process Plants (IPP) to manage this process and uphold its stringent sustainability standards.

The closure of a historic factory

Near the bustling city of Milan, Italy is the scenic town of Lomazzo. 

Since 1933 this has been the home of ‘Società Italiana Persil’, the facility responsible for producing and packaging Henkel products like Persil for global distribution.

The closing of this factory marks the end of nearly a century of detergent production in the area.

The factory has long been an important feature in Lomazzo’s economic and cultural life.

This is echoed geographically by its position in the town’s square.

While the factory’s loss will be felt, its removal also creates newfound opportunities for local development. 

With a population of just under 10,000, Lomazzo residents will be pushed to revitalise the town centre and diversify the economy. 

Redevelopment could pave the way for new restaurants, commercial spaces, residential areas and cultural venues, creating new community opportunities.

Henkel’s handling of the factory’s closure has ensured this shift can happen without any stress or adverse environmental impact.

Henkel, Maynards and IPP 

Henkel is a renowned leader in the global consumer goods manufacturing space, announcing significant growth in both organic sales and earnings in the first quarter of 2024.

Group sales grew organically by 2.9% in the first half of the year, equalling around €10.8bn (US$11.8bn) growth in both business units.

“Overall, we achieved a very good business performance in the first half of the year,” says Henkel CEO, Carsten Knobel. 

“This demonstrates that we are on the right track with our strategy and that our focus on purposeful growth is delivering tangible success.”

This growth is both owed to and shaped by Henkel’s strategic business and manufacturing strategy. 

As part of this strategy, Henkel has shifted its manufacturing to Ferentino, Italy, and other sites across Western Europe, subsequently requiring the liquidation of Henkel’s Milan factory.

Ensuring equipment isn’t wasted

Maynards and IPP as experienced joint-venture partners have been vital in this process. 

Maynards is set to conduct multiple auctions to sell the factory’s high-quality inventory, including maintenance equipment, processing and storage technology, filling and packaging machinery and various general factory assets.

The first online auction on 19th September 2024, will feature over 500 additional items. 

These include forklifts, compressors, machine tools, workshop equipment, storage solutions, office and cafeteria furniture and a well-stocked inventory of spare parts.

By auctioning off this equipment, Henkel ensures these items go on for further usage rather than being turned into waste.

Maynards and IPP are also managing a complete site redevelopment, increasing the factory grounds' appeal and future potential.

Sustainable plant closure benefits all

By partnering with Maynards and IPP, Henkel has ensured the plant's liquidation is economically and ecologically optimised, minimising negative impacts to the planet and the value chain.

Auctioning off equipment ensures it doesn’t become waste and enables other manufacturers to access top-quality factory assets and advanced production technology at competitive prices. 

Meanwhile, bidders can acquire top-quality factory assets and advanced production technology at competitive prices.

The factory now has the potential to be redeveloped into residential or commercial spaces, creating lasting value for the surrounding community. 

"Our clients value the reliable support and seamless process we deliver during plant closures,” says Samuel W. Tourier, Project Manager at Maynards Europe.

“With our extensive experience, we provide sustainable solutions and effective relief, ensuring optimal liquidation of equipment, production facilities, and entire sites

“Strong partnerships, like our collaboration with IPP, allow us to offer comprehensive, one-stop solutions, as demonstrated in the case of Henkel's Lomazzo plant."

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