News bulletin – chemical distribution

NEWS BULLETIN

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

THUMBS UP FOR MELROB

Melrob US has successfully passed its recent NACD Responsible Distribution verification for the current three-year cycle. The verification confirms the company’s commitment to the health, safety and security of employees, communities and the environment. The Responsible Distribution programme requires on-site, third-party verification of facilities against guiding principles, including strict adherence to laws and regulations and participation with in creating responsible laws, regulations and practices.

“We are delighted to have passed this NACD Responsible Distribution independent third-party verification,” says Dr Oliver Pyrlik, CEO of Melrob US. “Commitment to the 13 Codes of Responsible Distribution is at the heart of Melrob operations and will help our continued growth in the US market”. www.melrob.com

MAROON BUYS AMSYN

Maroon Group has acquired Amsyn, a national distributor of specialty chemicals to the US coatings, lubricants, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries. “Amsyn’s ability to distinguish itself as a leading provider of technical solutions has resulted in close integration within its customers’ supply chains. The acquisition reinforces Maroon’s position in core markets and is a great fit within our comprehensive portfolio of specialty chemicals and ingredients,” says Terry Hill, Maroon Group CEO. Amsyn’s management team, led by Thomas Castrovinci, will continue to actively manage the business on a day-to-day basis. www.maroongroupllc.com

BRENNTAG EXPANDS IN LUBES

Brenntag has acquired US-based lubricants distributor B&M Oil. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, B&M deals with the sale, marketing and distribution of lubricants to automotive, industrial, commercial, construction and agricultural consumers throughout the state. B&M Oil generated $28.5m in sales for the 2018 financial year.

Markus Klaehn, member of the management board at Brenntag Group and CEO of Brenntag North America, says: “B&M is a bolt-on acquisition for JAM Distributing, our Brenntag Lubricants business platform in the central US region, and will expand our offering in the growing Oklahoma marketplace.”

Anthony Gerace, Brenntag’s managing director mergers and acquisitions, adds: “B&M is a good fit that strengthens our position in the Oklahoma marketplace. The company’s two metropolitan-based facilities will support the future growth of our lubricant distribution business in the area.”

Additionally, Brenntag has downgraded its forecast for its full-year EBITDA growth for 2019 after “a noticeable slowdown in demand in June”. It now expects operating EBITDA to grow by 0 per cent to 4 per cent, rather than 3 per cent to 7 per cent as previously forecast. “During the second quarter 2019, the macroeconomic environment weakened noticeably in the two main Brenntag regions. In addition, important indicators for Brenntag as well as the company’s own market assessment point to a continued difficult environment in the course of this year,” the company says. Despite that, preliminary, unaudited figures for the second quarter point to an increase in EBITDA from €231.3m last year to around €266m.

In other news, Brenntag North America has become the primary distributor for Arkema’s waterborne resins in the US. The product line of more than 45 different resins are used in end use applications such as adhesives, caulks and sealants, construction products, architectural

paints, traffic coatings and industrial coatings. “As we evaluated potential distribution collaborators in North America, we were impressed by Brenntag’s ability to market, deliver, and support products in industries where technical expertise is required,” says Eric Kaiser, regional president for Arkema’s coating resins business in North America. www.brenntag.com

CHARKIT ACQUIRES CUSTOM

Charkit Chemical, a subsidiary of LBB Specialties, has acquired CA Specialities, a South Carolina-based distributor of personal care ingredients, and Custom Ingredients, a manufacturer of specialty ingredients. Founded in 1987, CA Specialities provides distribution and sales support to customers in the southeast US. CA expanded its business in 1995 by establishing Custom Ingredients.

Cathy Ayer Clark will continue to lead CA Specialities and Custom Ingredients in her role as president, reporting to Charkit’s president, Jay Lang. “Charkit represents the ideal partner for Custom Ingredients,” she says. “Our organisations are complementary and will support each other’s growth. With long-term vision and increased access to markets and capital, I’m delighted to partner with Jay and the Charkit/LBB Specialties team as we grow forward together.” www.charkit.com

BIESTERFELD STRENGTHENS IN SPAIN

Biesterfeld Group has merged subsidiaries to provide a heightened service in Iberia for customers seeking plastics, rubbers and chemicals. Biesterfeld Spezialchemie Ibérica SLU has merged with Biesterfeld Ibérica SLU as a part of the ‘One Biesterfeld’ concept.

Thomas Arnold, Biesterfeld CEO, explains that the ‘One Biesterfeld’ concept “aims to achieve a uniform market presence and a strong focus on business activities. Having more effective structures in place will make us more agile. It increases our ability to respond even quicker to the challenges of the Iberian chemicals, rubber and plastics markets, and it will help Biesterfeld Ibérica to achieve sustainable growth in the future.”

The merger of the two subsidiaries has been designed to enhance procedures and management systems, generate synergies between sites and improve the processing of Iberian business activities. The two current managers will continue running operations across one Portuguese and two Spanish offices. www.biesterfeld.com

OMYA INTO SE ASIA

Omya has extended its reach into Malaysia and Singapore by acquiring Trilogie Polymers, a regional distributor of engineered polymers. “Trilogie and Omya share a similar culture and business approach of helping clients expand their market reach, be it locally or overseas. Our clients can benefit from the competence Trilogie will bring to our organisation,” says Sander Herden, Omya’s director of distribution, Asia-Pacific APAC.

Thomas Wee, Trilogie’s founder, adds: “For the past 14 years, Trilogie has been successfully distributing engineered thermoplastics in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and China. Omya has an impeccable reputation and strong core values of modesty, integrity, courtesy and perseverance evident at both a group and employee level. We look forward to being part of the Group. Together, we can leverage Omya’s international presence to further drive our clients’ businesses with a broader and deeper engagement.” www.omya.com

BARENTS GETS A BRAZILIAN

Barentz-owned Tovani Benzaquen Ingredients has purchased Chemspecs, the largest specialised distributor of personal care ingredients serving the Brazilian cosmetics market. “This is a great step forward for all of us,” says Moses Benzaquen, Tovani Benzaquen Ingredients’ CEO. “Chemspecs’ highly trained sales team of technical experts and the wellequipped application laboratory will be of great value. It is the perfect complement to Tovani’s existing team of specialists, and it will certainly enhance the further development of our product portfolio and services.”

Barentz CEO Hidde van der Wal adds: “We had high expectations for our partnership with Tovani, and they were met above and beyond! Our collaboration quickly proved its worth by yielding more and better solutions for our current and new customer base. Our businesses complement each other in terms of markets served, principal relationships, product offerings and business culture. Our shared entrepreneurial mindset and in-depth expertise of our business bind us. I am convinced that the integration of Chemspecs will follow the same successful route.” www.barentz.com