A. Schulman to create “shared service center” for U.S., Canadian operations

Resin and plastic compound supplier A. Schulman Inc. is downsizing its national staff and creating an accounting and shared service center of excellence (SSC) in Akron, Ohio that will be responsible for back office processes for all U.S. and Canadian operations.

“The company expects this initiative will result in the elimination of approximately 25 headcount throughout the United States partially offset by the addition of approximately 15 headcount at the SSC,” Schulman said in a statement.

The anticipated costs of the project are expected to be approximately US$2.5 million over the next 18 months, Schulman said. “The SSC is expected to deliver annual savings of approximately US$2 million when fully operational in the first half of fiscal 2018, and will benefit the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 by approximately US$0.3 million,” the company added.

“The decision to create this SSC is in line with actions we’ve already successfully implemented in Europe, and will greatly enhance our internal processes and productivity. Additionally, this project will contribute to our Smart Savings initiative in the region,” said Joseph Levanduski, Schulman’s executive vice president and CFO. “This program will foster greater efficiencies, harmonization and enhance service levels to our customers as we fully integrate these functions into one center of excellence.”

Founded in 1928 and headquartered in Akron, Schulman has approximately 5,000 employees and 57 manufacturing facilities globally.