BASF intends to acquire Henkel’s Western European building material business
BASF and Henkel have signed an agreement under which BASF intends to acquire Henkel’s professional Western European flooring, tiling and waterproofing business in order to strengthen its portfolio in Construction Chemicals.
The transaction includes Henkel’s flooring business sold under the “Thomsit” brand and the “Thomsit” trademark globally.
Integration into PCI Group
Also part of the transaction is Henkel’s flooring, tiling and waterproofing business in Western Europe, currently sold by specialised retailers or under the Ceresit brand. BASF and Henkel have agreed that BASF will use the “Ceresit” trademark for the Western European business in the categories of tiling and waterproofing. Main markets are Germany and Benelux. Total revenue for the business being acquired is in a higher double-digit million euro range. BASF intends to integrate the acquired business into PCI Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BASF and part of its Construction Chemicals division. PCI Group has a leading position in the German market for tile fixing systems.
BASF will continue business in Hamm
The intended transaction includes a temporary lease of Henkel’s production site in Unna, Germany, where the respective products are being produced. BASF will operate the Unna site for a period of two to three years and will then continue the business at existing PCI production sites, mainly in Hamm, Germany, which is located nearby Unna. The transaction is subject to the approval of relevant antitrust authorities and is expected to close by year-end 2016. Both parties have agreed not to publish financial details of the transaction.
Expanding the construction chemicals portfolio
“The acquisition of Thomsit and the Ceresit flooring, tiling and waterproofing business in Western Europe demonstrates our strong commitment to expanding our construction chemicals product portfolio. Together, the strong brands PCI and Thomsit will make BASF one of the leading companies in the market for flooring products in Germany. The Ceresit flooring, tiling and waterproofing business in Western Europe will allow us to enter market segments which we do not serve comprehensively today,” said Ralf Spettmann, President of BASF’s Construction Chemicals division.
“Ceresit” brand will continue to be the strategic platform
“Henkel’s building material business will remain an integral part of our portfolio and we will continue to develop it in all other regions. The Ceresit brand will continue to be the strategic platform for Henkel’s global building material business,” said Corporate Senior Vice President Hermann Deitzer, who is heading Henkel’s Consumer, Craftsmen and Building Business. “However, in Western Europe we do not see a long-term perspective for this business in its current setup as well as for our related activities in Unna. Thus we are pleased to have reached this agreement with BASF,” Deitzer added.
BASF intends to offer employees in this business mid- or long-term employment perspectives within BASF Group wherever possible.
