Interview: “Europe remains our core market“
Siegwerk acquired Van Son Liquids in the Netherlands a while ago. We spoke with Piet Deceunynck, Regional Sales Director at Siegwerk what this acquisitions means for the company and if it has any effects on the relatively new subsidiary in Utrecht.
A while ago you already opened a sales office in Utrecht in the Netherlands. Will the acquisition of Van Son Liquids have any effect on this site?
Piet Deceunynck: Since foundation in early 2016, our sales office in Utrecht is the local contact point for our Dutch customers and supplies – together with our subsidiary in Belgium – the Benelux region with our products and solutions from all business units. With the acquisition of Van Son Liquids B.V. we follow our set goal to get closer to our customers by further expanding our local footprint in the region. This will not have any effect on our subsidiary in Utrecht.
It is noticeable that your latest investments are focused on Europe. Is the European market particular interesting?
Deceunynck: Despite our ongoing effort to invest and develop in less mature markets, Europe remains our core market. The European market is still growing and the stable economy is an attractive environment for long-term oriented investments. Our overall vision is to become the worldwide leading packaging ink supplier and we always look into both organic growth and strategically suitable acquisitions to achieve this goal.
Most of your latest acquisitions are strengthening your water-based ink portfolio. Do you plan further investments in this area?
Deceunynck: As water-based ink technologies are also gaining importance in new segments like flexible packaging and digital printing, we also focus our own R&D efforts on these areas to develop innovative solutions that meet latest standards and technologies in order to support our customers with optimal solutions to address upcoming trends in the industry while meeting their individual requirements.
