Newsletter of the World Chemical Distributor Directory. Issue 4, 2007
* A matter of fact: Chemagility.com now lists around 5900 chemical distributors. 800 distributors have been added to the directory since March 2007. *
Contents
Feature - CBA declare REACH fees 'Out of Control' .
News - Members of Associquim - the Brazilian chemical distributors association now highlighted; Chemagility give paper on the structure of European Chemical distribution at FECC Congress, Paris; The web is now the most important tool used by chemical manufacturers for researching potential distribution partners.
What's new on chemagility.com - New Multinational section attracts high profile names; Chemagility partners with SNAP, the next generation search engine; Expansion of web development business; Membership of the Chemical Business Assocation (CBA).
CBA member offer - We are currently offering CBA members a £50 discount on the usual price of a FULL profile on chemagility.com.
Upcoming events - A selection of the the most important upcoming industry exhibitions, conferences and seminars from around the World.
About Us - Advise, inform and do.
Feature
CBA declare REACH fees 'Out of Control' , UK
The Chemical Business Association (CBA) have declared that the REACH fees to be charged by the European Chemicals Agency were ‘out of control’. The CBA was commenting on a new scale of proposed REACH fees – some of which represent an increase of several hundred per cent over the figures originally proposed by the European Commission. Chairman of CBA’s REACH Task Force, Melvyn Whyte has angrily rebuffed the new European Chemical Agency not only over the scale of the fees but also the terms of trading being imposed adding, “The Agency intends to milk every last euro out of the industry”. More...
* Comment: A unilateral imposition of unagreed fees can never be acceptable. The EU is in danger of inflicting significant damage to the industry *
News
Europe
S.Black Ltd joins the Azelis Group, UK
S. Black, specialists in the UK and German Life Science sectors, is now formally part of the Azelis Group. The deal was completed earlier this month and is welcomed as an extremely positive move by both sides as many synergies exist between the two companies to provide opportunities for future profitable growth. S. Black was established in 1968 as a specialist sales, marketing and distribution company. It has sales of €57 million ($75m) , is headquartered in Hertfordshire, UK and, employing 103 people, currently serves more than 1100 customers. See Azelis web site for more details
IMCD acquires König & Weigand Gmbh, Germany
IMCD has acquired König & Wiegand GmbH, Düsseldorf, a well-established distributor of food ingredients and additives with annual sales of around €15m ($20m). The acquisition will help IMCD strengthen its position in the German and European food industries. Go to the IMCD website for full press release.
CVC sweeps up Univar Group, Netherlands
99.4% of the shares in Univar are committed to or have been obtained by Ulixes B.V., a company controlled by funds managed by CVC. The €1.5Bn ($2.0Bn) bid from Ulixes was first announced on July 19 subject to the condition that at least 95% of the outstanding Univar shares were tendered. As a result of the acquisition CVC and Univar have requested delisting of the shares on the official market of Euronext Amsterdam N.V. See the Univar Group website for more details
Warwick International sold to the Carlyle Group, UK
The parent company of Warwick International, the Sequa Corporation, has been sold to global private equity firm the Carlyle Group in a €2bn ($2.7bn) deal. Warwick International has speciality chemicals distribution companies in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia. The company also has representative offices in Malaysia, South Africa and Brazil. The sale was brought about by the death last December of Norman Alexander, Sequa Corporation’s long standing chairman and majority shareholder. Go to Warwick International's website
Aspo Group reports strong growth in Eastern markets , Finland
Finish-based Aspo Group has reported operating profits of €21.1m ($28.1m) on net sales of €195.2m ($260m) in its q3 interim report (Jan- Sept 2007). Strong performance from the Group’s operations in Russia and Ukraine contributed to double digit growth in the overall net sales. These figures also include Wilfert Chemical Nordic A/S, the Danish chemical distributor acquired earlier in the year. The Aspo Group consists of Aspokem Ltd and its subsidiaries involved with distributing and marketing chemicals and plastic raw materials in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine. See the Aspo Group website for full report
Surfachem sold to 2M holdings, UK
UK specialty chemicals distributor Surfachem has been acquired by 2M Holdings which already owns Banner Chemicals. Surfachem was owned by the 3i minority equity fund and the management led by Mr Utrick Alexander. Surfachem has a wide portfolio of Polyurethane raw materials and related specialty chemicals. The company achieved sales of aroubd €48M ($64m) in 2006. Surfachem website
America
US chemical distributors post record profits, USA
Recently released results from the National Association of Chemical Distributors’ (NACD) Company Productivity Report (CPR) for 2006 show that member firms achieved their highest overall profitability in at least five years. In particular, the performance ratio “before tax return on net worth, i.e.owner’s equity,” for 2006 was 26.8% overall. Meanwhile, 2006 sales growth, when measured by actual physical throughput of pounds of chemicals moving through the warehouse (including 3rd party) was 1.67% higher in 2006 for all NACD CPR respondents overall (as compared to 2005) See the NACD web site for more details.
Asia and Oceania
Azelis starts to establish presence outside Europe , India
Azelis has announced the acquisition of a 49% stake in Marigold International Pvt. Ltd, an Indian distributor of polymers and chemicals based in Mumbai with total sales of €22 ($29.3m)million. The deal represents a significant strategic move as part of the Azelis Group's first steps in developing a global, specialty chemical distribution business. Marigold also provides Azelis with a platform for both sourcing products for customers and, more importantly, offering Western manufacturers a route to market in the rapidly growing Indian economy. Azelis also plans to expand the company's reach into other key sectors including coatings, food and personal care. See Azelis web site for more details
IMCD acquires Union Chemicals, New Zealand
IMCD New Zealand has acquired Auckland-based chemical distributor Union Chemicals, which last year recorded annual sales of €12m ($16m). Union Chemicals is being merged into IMCD New Zealand and will shortly start operating from the existing IMCD site in Auckland. Go to the IMCD website for full press release.
News and views on the chemical distribution industry.
Email us your news related to chemical distribution for possible inclusion in the next enewsletter.
What's new on chemagility.com
Members of Associquim - the Brazilian chemical distributors association now highlighted on the directory
Associquim, the Brazilian Association of Chemical and Petrochemical distributors has agreed to Chemagility highlighting their RDP verified and approved member companies on the directory through the use of their association’s logo. David Brown, Director of Chemagility Ltd, is keen for other trade associations to do likewise and differentiate their members on the directory from non-member companies. He said, “Though we are totally inclusive, one of the aims of the directory is to highlight those distributors that have embraced professional practices through trade association membership and a commitment to RDP/RC processes.” See the directory listing for Brazilian distributors on Chemagility.com
Chemagility present an analysis of the European chemical distribution industry at the FECC Congress
June 2007 – Chemagility Ltd presented an analysis of the €35Bn European chemical distribution industry at the FECC Congress in Paris. The paper examined the structure of the industry as it currently stands as well as exploring the factors shaping the industry to 2012 and beyond. Chemagility revealed that the total number of distributors worldwide is around 6000 and the global chemical distribution market to be worth around €89Bn +/-7% - with Europe accounting for around €35Bn of the total, North America €30Bn and the Rest of the World €24Bn.More...
* A matter of fact: Chemagility.com now lists around 5900 chemical distributors. 800 distributors have been added to the directory since March 2007. *
The web is now the most important tool used by chemical manufacturers for researching potential distribution partners
Recent work conducted by Chemagility has highlighted the importance of distributors having a well considered web presence. A survey of chemical manufacturers outsourcing trends found that the web is now the most widley used tool for finding information about potential distribution partners, followed by customers and trade associations. However many chemical distributors websites suffer from poor presentation, lack of appropriate content and are rarely updated.
* A Matter of Fact: Many chemical distributors web sites haven't been updated for 2-3 years *
Need help with Website Design or Search Engine Marketing (SEM)? Chemagility provides a wide range of services to help chemical producers and distributors make the most of their Internet presence. For more information please contact us on +44 (01420) 520393 or 476191 alternatively email us.
CBA member offer
Special offer for CBA members
As part of an agreement with the CBA, Chemagility is currently offering £50 off the usual advertised price of a Full Company Profile of £345. A Full Profile gives many added benefits over a basic entry including a fully searchable 200 word description of your company/activities, web links, a Principal/tradename listing, visitor statistics and more.. Visit an example company profile page to see what your listing could look like.
* A Matter of Fact: The UK chemical distribution industry is one of the biggest in Europe with over 200 companies involved. *
Upcoming events
Here is our editor's pick of upcoming chemical distribution
industry events:
NACD 36th Annual General Meeting, 26-30 November 2007, Las Croabas, Puerto Rico
InformexUSA 2008, 29 Jan-1 Feb 2007, New Orleans, LA, USA
Chemspec India 2008, 09-10 April 2007, Goregaon, Mumbai, India
Chemspec Europe 2008, 18-19 June 2007, Munich, Germany
About Us
Chemagility.com is the Internet’s only chemical distribution focused search directory. The directory was launched in 18 months ago with the aim of making it easier for chemical manufacturers, suppliers and their customers to find information about chemical distributors on the web. This has brought some welcome ‘transparency’ to a fragmented industry and helped to raise the profile and importance of the chemical distribution sector. The directory also aims to highlight those distributors who have embraced professional practices through trade association membership and responsible care/responsible distribution.
The Editorial Team
Chemagility .com - The World Chemical Distributor Directory
Email: newsletter@chemagility.com
* Industry information: Have a Principal who's interested in chemical distribution? Why not forward them this e-mail? *