From early 2007, the Western European beverage plastic closure manufacture will be concentrated at German, Italian, and Spanish opérations, Eastern and Central Europe will continue to be supported as at present by the operations in Romania, Turkey and Russia. The current Obrist Research and Development centre, laboratory, manufacturing support activities, mould manufacturing and mould maintenance shop will remain located in Reinach, Switzerland. This facility will retain its key role of reinforcing the ability of Global Closure Systems to design, develop and manufacture plastic beverage closures of the highest quality, and to support the worldwide licensee network. In parallel, the plastic manufacturing operations at Bender, Frankenthal – Germany, will be re-organised and the future of the aluminium closures business will be assessed. This strategic move reinforces the commitment by Global Closure Systems to the evolution of the European plastic beverage closure market, reported the company.