News
Laufenberg purchases the Release Paper Business from Huhtamaki
10.03.2009 B. Laufenberg GmbH and Huhtamaki Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG have signed an agreement about the purchase of the release paper business of Huhtamaki by Laufenberg. The transaction will take place on the basis of an asset deal. The assets will be transferred in the course of a transition process of several months.
Huhtamaki Group is a global manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging with net sales of EUR 2.3 billion in 2008. The release paper business was part of Huhtamaki Group’s Film Global business segment and included the manufacture of siliconized papers for technical applications used in different industries (i.e. labels, tapes, packaging). Huhtamaki will continue the production of release films.
Laufenberg produces siliconized papers and films for 50 years. Today the company employs a staff of more than 180 people and is one of the leading commercial silicon coaters for technical applications. Particularly in sophisticated markets Laufenberg enjoys a high reputation.
When Laufenberg learnt about Huhtamaki’s intention to sell the business, negotiations started soon. “The close match as well as the useful supplement of product range and market segments of both companies have quickly awaken our interest in this acquisition.”, says Jörg Soding, one of three Managing Directors of B. Laufenberg GmbH.
During the last years the market for release liners consolidated strongly. Productin capacity was moved towards large corporations as many smaller businesses were closed or sold. “This trend is regarded as a threat to the customers. Especially in stagnating markets large corporations take decisions about product range and business segments fast and often without considering customers’ concerns. Privately owned companies offer a higher degree of continuation and security. This is appreciated by our customers a lot,” explains Gernot Becker, Managing Director for Sales and Logistics.
Andrea Scheddin, responsible for Finance and HR remembers, “We considered pros and cons of this project especially in the environment of the financial and economical crisis. At the end it was determining that there were only few overlaps on customers and much overlaps on the market side. This has led us to the conclusion that customers will support the acquisition. If one of the corporate players would have closed the deal, this most likely would have been negative as far as product variety is concerned. Especially product variety is essential for buyers in our markets.”
The Composition of the conditions of the handover of the business was taken seriously by both companies. Target was to transfer the business in a customer oriented and tuned way. This concept is now finalized and will be communicated to the customers shortly. Here Jörg Soding explains, “Over the last 2 years Laufenberg invested in adding capacity at its plant in Krefeld. This future oriented investment project was successfully finalized in February 2009 and will ensure a smooth transition of the business.”
With this acquisition Laufenberg is increasing its sales volume by more than 40 %. This significant growth will enable Laufenberg to expand and strengthen its international market position in the release liner market. Synergies as well as the transfer of know-how shall lead to further advantages.
For more information, please contact:
Gernot Becker
Managing Director
Phone: +49 (2151) 7499-21
email: g.becker@b-laufenberg.de
Web: www.b-laufenberg.de
