Newsletter of the World Chemical Distributor Directory. Issue 3, 2007
* A matter of fact: Chemagility.com now lists over 5100 chemical distributors. 400 distributors have been added to the directory since the last newsletter in November 2006. *
Contents
Feature - Chemcentral, 4th Largest US Chemical Distributor, aquired by Univar after late counter bid by Brenntag.
News - A round-up of chemical distribution industry news from Europe, America and the Far East over the last few months.
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
4th Largest US Chemical Distributor, Chemcentral acquired by Univar, USA
Univar USA has agreed to acquire Chemcentral Corp for approximately $650m. Univar originally announced that it had purchased 100% of the shares of Chemcentral for $600m but on , March 19, 2007 Brenntag launched a late counter acquistion bid that prompted Univar's revised offer. Chemcentral reported consolidated revenues of $1.4bn and EBITDA of some $70m last year. The acquisition of Chemcentral will further extend Univar’s position as the No.1 chemical distributor in the US as well as strengthening Univar’s presence in a number of rapidly growing international markets where they are currently under-represented including Asia, Australia and Central/South America. More...
In 2006, Univar USA generated net sales of USD 3.26 billion and operating income (EBIT) of USD 128 million.
Europe
EU Parliaments approves REACH after compromise vote
REACH, one of the most complex pieces of European legislation ever to come into law was passed by the EU Parliament on the 18/12/2006. REACH could very well have negative economic and competitive implications for the European Chemical Industry as a whole. In its current form REACH has massive cost and resource implications for the whole of the chemical supply chain and has been widely criticised by the industry. In particular, the legislation has failed to satisfactorily address the issue of imported preparations which could futher encourage manufacturers to move production units outside the EU. The REACH legisaltion – Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 can be downloaded from the the legal part of the Europa website, EUR-lex.
Chemical distributor Arpadis, part of Belgium's DPS group renamed, Belgium
The group has changed its name from DPS-Group NV to Arpadis-Group NV and Arpadis NV has been renamed Arpadis Chemicals NV. The company is a multi-national distributor with an extensive European network with offices in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK. Major markets include food, pharma, personal care, building products, surface coatings, polymers and water treatment. Arpadis Chemicals NV was formed n 1999. Sales in 2005 were nearly €40M. Visit www.arpadis.com
Azelis change in ownership,, Italy
Azelis, one of Europe’s fastest growing distributors of specialty chemicals, polymers and related services, has agreed a change of share ownership with 3i, a leading global finance house. Previous equity partner Cognetas, formerly Electra Partners Europe, had acquired 57% of the shares in Azelis in November 2003 with the balance remaining in the hands of the original executive management investors. Cognetas provided funding support during the primary growth by acquisition phase which has seen Azelis virtually complete its geographic European coverage and increase its turnover from €348 million in 2003 to around €900 million by the end of 2006. Under the terms of the deal 3i will acquire 68% of the shares in the Azelis Group. See article Azelis Share Acquisition Deal Agreed or visit www.azelis.com.
Melrob Services in Sunday Times Fast Track 100, UK
Melrob Services a distributor of over 200 chemical raw materials to manufacturers in the polymers, adhesive and oil industries was ranked 9th in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100. The West Sussex company was founded in 1995 to supply the contact-lens and medical-device sectors but diversified into the polymer, oil and adhesive sectors in 2002. The new focus has driven growth 180% a year from £312,000 in 2002 to £6.8m in 2005. Melrob has recently opened a Tokyo office to help with expansion. Melrob are a full member of the CBA. Visit the FastTrack website for the full listing. Melrob website
America
Brenntag acquires Candanian distributor St. Lawrence Chemicals, Canada
Brenntag is to acquire the Montreal-based speciality chemical distributor St Lawrence Chemical, subject to approval from the Canadian Competition Bureau. A founding member of the Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors, St Lawrence Chemical primarily services customers in the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers industries. The company has locations across Canada and recorded sales of CAD 120 million in 2005. Visit www.brenntag.com/ for
more details.
Mexican chemical distributors look to implement Responsible Distribution, Mexico
The US National Association of Chemical Distributors has held a successful two-day workshop with the distributor division of ANIQ, the Mexican chemical industry association, with regard to implementing the NACD's Responsible Distribution Process (RDP). In addition to presentations and discussions, the agenda also included visits to three chemical distribution facilities near Mexico City, including that of Grupo Dermet, itself currently gearing up for mandatory RDP certification as part of its bid to join NACD's membership.Visit the press section of NACD's website for more details.
Your News and views on the chemical distribution industry.
Why not Email us your news related to chemical distribution for possible inclusion in the next eNewsletter.
What's new on chemagility.com
New Multinational section attracts high profile names
The new section for Multinational Distributors and Chemical Alliances to promote their international capabilities and operations has only been running for a few months but has already attracted a number of high profile companies including Azelis, Omya Group and Pluschem. Companies subscribing to a Multinational Profile have a customised group overview detailing their operating companies and regional coverage. Each operating company can also have their own full profile. Visit the section on multinationals. If you would like more information about this please contact us on +44 (01420) 520393 or 476191, alternatively email us.
* A matter of fact: Chemagility.com now lists over 5100 chemical distributors. 400 distributors have been added to the directory since the last newsletter in November 2006 *
Partnership with SNAP, the next generation search engine
Chemagility has teamed up with Snap, the new interactive, visual search engine that is rapidly establishing itself as a major alternative to the established search players. Snap.com’s innovative, visual approach to presenting web search results allows anyone visiting an enabled site to hover over a link to receive an immediate glimpse of hyperlinked pages, without having to navigate away from the current page. Chemagility is now using this technology on its chemical distributor directory site for companies who have purchased a Full Profile. For more information visit www.snap.com.
* A Matter of Fact: SNAP was listed in TIME magasine's Top 50 web sites of 2006. *
Chemagility expands Web development team
Chemagility is pleased to annouce that it has extended its web development expertise through agreements with two associate companies. The growth of the Web services part of the business has necessitated strengthening the design and development team. As a result we are now able to produce sites using all the leading web database technologies including PHP/MySQL, Java/JSP and ASP/MS SQL.
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.
* A Matter of Fact: According to Jakob Nielsen, the Web's leading usability expert, about 60% of monitors are now set at 1024x768 pixels so it is important your site displays perfectly for these users. *
Appointed members of the Chemical Business Association
Chemagility Ltd was admitted as an Associate Member of the Chemical Business Association (CBA) on the 13th December 2006. The CBA is the central source of business knowledge on the UK's chemical supply chain and offers the latest information and briefings on key industry issues - changes in legislation, REACH, Responsible Care, networking and access to full time technical expertise.
“Each year CBA members distribute more than 2.5 million tonnes of chemicals with a market value of almost three billion euros” - For more information about the CBA, membership application and more visit their web site: www.chemical.org.uk.
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:
In-cosmetics 2007, 17-19 April 2007,
We will be exhibiting at In-cosmetics. If you're visiting the show please come and see us on Stand No F141
Chemspec India 2007, 18-19 April 2007, VenueBombay Exhibition Centre, NSE, Goregaon (E), Mumbai, India
European Coatings Show 2007, 07-09 May 2007, Exhibition Centre, Nuremberg, Germany
FECC Annual Congress 2007,
10 – 12 Jun 2007, Paris 2007- Hotel Le Meridien Montparnasse, Paris,
France
Chemagility will be presenting a paper at the conference entitled “Analysis & strucure of the chemical distribution industry in Europe”
Legal Footnote - UK only
UK Companies need to act on new law affecting web sites and emails
UK companies could be fined if they fail to obey a new requirement of the Companies Act on websites and emails, which came into force on January 1 2007. Under the new law every company now needs to list its company registration number, its place of registration and registered office address on both its website and in emails. This info is already required on business letters, but the new regulations extend it to websites, order forms and electronic documents, including email. Visit the BusinessLink website for further guidance.
About Us
Chemagility Limited is an information and marketing services company specialising in chemical related-markets. Customers are typically chemical manufacturers or distributors requiring advice, information and practical help at either the strategic or operational level. We advise, inform and do — with the emphasis very much on the doing. Chemagility developed and manages the World's largest online database of chemical distributors and traders - chemagility.com
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? *