01.01.03
Location: Holon, Israel
Sales: $91 million
Description: Key Personnel
Shuki Goldwasser, chairman; Nir Peleg, CEO; Moshe Goldwasser, principal; Achai Bonneh, vice president of technology; Sari Goldwasser-Uri, vice president of sales
Plants
Holon, Israel; Mocksville, NC
ISO Status
ISO 9002 Certified
Processes
Spunbonded, meltblown
Brand name
Zebra
Major Markets
Hygiene, medical, filtration, construction, agriculture, furniture, upholstery
The year 2002 was described as “significant” in its 15-year history by Avgol Ltd. Nonwoven Industries, Holon, Israel. Not only was it the first full year of operating a North American facility, Avgol was able to realize technological improvements in its major production lines, thus increasing its output on growing demand of high quality spunmelt material.
The company purchased a spunmelt manufacturing facility from Unifi, Greensboro, NC, in April 2001, as part of an effort to bring it closer to its consumers, 75% of which are located in the U.S. The purchase of the North Carolina site added 15,000 tons of SSMMS capacity to Avgol’s operations. This new capacity, which brings Avgol’s global capacity to more than 50,000 tons, has been completely sold out since the third quarter of 2002. While no firms plan for expansion in Mocksville have yet been announced, company officials recognize the importance of this location to its global operations and admit the expansion plans will be forthcoming.
“We consider our U.S. investment to be a vital move on our behalf as it has allowed us to become a global operation and makes our customers feel confident in our intention of growing our capacity and bringing more value to their decisions to work more closely with us,” remarked company chairman Shuki Goldwasser.
In addition to new capacity, the North Carolina operation has given Avgol increased flexibility in its production planning, particularly in terms of raw material usage. This has been a major contribution to Avgol’s ability to operate at a profit, despite recent increases in raw material costs, according to executives.
The 4.3-meter, five-beam Reicofil line in Mocksville is the company’s sixth line. The other five are located in Israel. Currently North American output represents 35% of its business, while 65% of material is produced at two sites in Israel. While no plans have been finalized for a seventh production line, the company is constantly upgrading its lines to meet customer needs for higher quality demands.
By end use market, approximately 70% of Avgol’s customer base is involved in hygiene. While competition and pricing pressures continue to plague this segment, Avgol also sees a strong need for high quality material in hygiene, a trend that is expected to continue as more technologically sophisticated products are introduced into the market. In addition to hygiene, medical, filtration, construction and upholstery are becoming increasingly important to Avgol’s business. “These markets have always been important to our business and today some have become even more important as we continue to diversify our activities,” Mr. Goldwasser explained.
In fact, the next challenge for Avgol will be further diversification, which could eventually mean the addition of a technology outside of spunmelt. While the company has, since its 1988 inception, strived to focus solely on offering high quality spunmelt products as a way of growing its business, it does recognize the advantages of having more than one technology to offer customers. “There are markets and technologies we have not put our efforts into, and it is our goal to pursue this further as we now have better technological means to make progress in these areas,” Mr. Goldwasser explained. “We believe that being competitive today is not just a mater of size but being committed to grow in areas where a company feels it has some advantage.”
Looking ahead, executives expect the company’s strong pattern of growth to continue with sales forecast to jump from $91 million in 2002 to surpass $100 million this year. This will be achieved through improved quality of its nonwovens as well as favorable conditions in the industry as a whole. “We see the nonwovens industry as still growing and expanding,” Mr. Goldwasser explained. “Competition continues to be strong. Prices of raw materials are the highest we have seen in several years and prices of nonwovens are at their lowest levels. However, there are opportunities in different areas with higher added value that can be explored and developed by the industry.”"
Sales: $91 million
Description: Key Personnel
Shuki Goldwasser, chairman; Nir Peleg, CEO; Moshe Goldwasser, principal; Achai Bonneh, vice president of technology; Sari Goldwasser-Uri, vice president of sales
Plants
Holon, Israel; Mocksville, NC
ISO Status
ISO 9002 Certified
Processes
Spunbonded, meltblown
Brand name
Zebra
Major Markets
Hygiene, medical, filtration, construction, agriculture, furniture, upholstery
The year 2002 was described as “significant” in its 15-year history by Avgol Ltd. Nonwoven Industries, Holon, Israel. Not only was it the first full year of operating a North American facility, Avgol was able to realize technological improvements in its major production lines, thus increasing its output on growing demand of high quality spunmelt material.
The company purchased a spunmelt manufacturing facility from Unifi, Greensboro, NC, in April 2001, as part of an effort to bring it closer to its consumers, 75% of which are located in the U.S. The purchase of the North Carolina site added 15,000 tons of SSMMS capacity to Avgol’s operations. This new capacity, which brings Avgol’s global capacity to more than 50,000 tons, has been completely sold out since the third quarter of 2002. While no firms plan for expansion in Mocksville have yet been announced, company officials recognize the importance of this location to its global operations and admit the expansion plans will be forthcoming.
“We consider our U.S. investment to be a vital move on our behalf as it has allowed us to become a global operation and makes our customers feel confident in our intention of growing our capacity and bringing more value to their decisions to work more closely with us,” remarked company chairman Shuki Goldwasser.
In addition to new capacity, the North Carolina operation has given Avgol increased flexibility in its production planning, particularly in terms of raw material usage. This has been a major contribution to Avgol’s ability to operate at a profit, despite recent increases in raw material costs, according to executives.
The 4.3-meter, five-beam Reicofil line in Mocksville is the company’s sixth line. The other five are located in Israel. Currently North American output represents 35% of its business, while 65% of material is produced at two sites in Israel. While no plans have been finalized for a seventh production line, the company is constantly upgrading its lines to meet customer needs for higher quality demands.
By end use market, approximately 70% of Avgol’s customer base is involved in hygiene. While competition and pricing pressures continue to plague this segment, Avgol also sees a strong need for high quality material in hygiene, a trend that is expected to continue as more technologically sophisticated products are introduced into the market. In addition to hygiene, medical, filtration, construction and upholstery are becoming increasingly important to Avgol’s business. “These markets have always been important to our business and today some have become even more important as we continue to diversify our activities,” Mr. Goldwasser explained.
In fact, the next challenge for Avgol will be further diversification, which could eventually mean the addition of a technology outside of spunmelt. While the company has, since its 1988 inception, strived to focus solely on offering high quality spunmelt products as a way of growing its business, it does recognize the advantages of having more than one technology to offer customers. “There are markets and technologies we have not put our efforts into, and it is our goal to pursue this further as we now have better technological means to make progress in these areas,” Mr. Goldwasser explained. “We believe that being competitive today is not just a mater of size but being committed to grow in areas where a company feels it has some advantage.”
Looking ahead, executives expect the company’s strong pattern of growth to continue with sales forecast to jump from $91 million in 2002 to surpass $100 million this year. This will be achieved through improved quality of its nonwovens as well as favorable conditions in the industry as a whole. “We see the nonwovens industry as still growing and expanding,” Mr. Goldwasser explained. “Competition continues to be strong. Prices of raw materials are the highest we have seen in several years and prices of nonwovens are at their lowest levels. However, there are opportunities in different areas with higher added value that can be explored and developed by the industry.”"