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Hexpol buys Preferred Compounding for $232 million
On 1 July Hexpol announced that it has acquired Preferred Compounding from the Audax Group, a US-based Private Equity firm. Preferred Compounding is described as an “advanced rubber compounder in North America”. Key markets include general industry, automotive, power and infrastructure. Hexpol paid approximately US$232 million on a cash and debt free basis. Preferred’s 208 turnover worked out as roughly US$240 million. The firm has around 540 employees in six facilities, five in the US and one in Mexico. The business will be consolidated from 1 July 2019.
Hexpol growth driven by compounding and exports
Almost 10 years after Hexpol embarked on a prolonged growth-by-acquisition strategy, here Tyres & Accessories examines the company’s overall progress as well as the particular example of UK-based Hexpol Group member, retreading compound supply specialist Berwin Polymers.
2 Hexpol management changes during first quarter
During the first quarter of 2019, Hexpol announced a couple of senior management changes. Most recently, at the end of February, Karin Gunnarsson decided to leave her position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Investor Relations Manager at the Hexpol Group in pursuit of “new challenges”:
Hexpol buys 80% of Mesgo for 168 million euros
On 1 October Hexpol completed the acquisition of 80 per cent of the shares of Italian compounder Mesgo Group from previous owner Francesco Caldara and co-owners. Hexpol describes Mesgo as “an industry leader in high performance elastomers as fluorocarbons and silicone”. In addition, Mesgo also specializes in conventional rubber compounds and thermoplastics. The major customer segments Mesgo focuses on are industry, consumer products, transportation and automotive. Mesgo Group reports annual turnover of around 100 million euros, with around 180 employees in six facilities.
Hexpol buys Valley Processing for $44 million
Just three days after buying Trelleborg’s Czech compounding operation, on 3 April Hexpol announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Valley Processing from Ted Ballou and his family. The acquisition price amounts to approximately US$44 million on a cash and debt free basis. There will also be an additional product transfer fee, which will be paid later.
Hexpol buys Trelleborg’s Czech compounding unit for 65 million euros
Hexpol has today acquired 100 per cent of Trelleborg Material & Mixing Lesina s.r.o from the Trelleborg Group. The divested operation develops, produces and supplies polymer compounds. The majority of its sales are to external customers and a minor share to a small number of Trelleborg facilities in Europe.
Mindermann appointed president of Trelleborg Industrial Solutions
As of 1 July, Jean-Paul Mindermann will switch from the Trelleborg Wheel Systems business unit to become the new business area president of Trelleborg Industrial Solutions. He succeeds Mikael Fryklund, who leaves Trelleborg to assume the position of president and chief executive officer at Hexpol. Like his predecessor, Mindermann will become a member of Trelleborg Group Management.
Hexpol buys Berwin Group for £25 million
On Friday 3 June Swedish firm Hexpol bought 100 per cent of the Berwin Group Ltd shareholders Glyn Williams and his family for around £25 million. Berwin has more than 60 years’ experience of rubber compounding and is a leading Rubber Compounder in the UK market.
Robbins integration ‘strengthens’ Hexpol
In November 2012 Swedish polymer group Hexpol Compounding bought US retreading supplier Robbins LLC with the intention of merging the company into “the Hexpol family”. Roughly 18 months after paying US$89.2 million for the then £100 million a year turnover company, Hexpol reports that the acquisition has strengthened its operations.
Stellana launches Optima system
Stellana, Inc., a moulded polyurethane wheel manufacturer recently introduced its Optima line of polyurethane tyres for the material handling industry, which apparently differ from press-on bands. “Standard press-on tyres come with costly trip charges, press-on charges, and downtime expenses. The Optima Tire System eliminates these costs: simply bolt the tyre onto your lift truck and you are up and running again,” said Stellana’s sales and marketing manager, Michael Scoon.