7 Apr 2006
Univar Purchases Spanish Chemical Distributor
Rotterdam, The Netherlands – April 7, 2006 – Univar N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: UNIVR), a world leader in chemical distribution, today announced that its Univar Europe business unit has acquired 100% of the stock of JSM Chemicals S.A., based near Valencia, Spain. The acquisition was completed on April 6, 2006. For the calendar year 2005, JSM recorded net sales of approximately EUR 13 million.
JSM is a regional solvent and inorganic chemicals distributor, enjoying a strong market share in the Levante area of Spain. It owns a modern, purpose-built facility in Chiva, 30 kilometers from Valencia, making it well positioned to service the industrial base in this rapidly growing economy. JSM was founded in 1991 by two partners, with another three partners added subsequently. Three will remain active directly in the business while two others will continue to operate as sales agents for Univar.
Univar, with its much broader product range, expects to build on this platform to create a market leading position in the Levante region with a strong industry focus and a significantly wider range of both commodity and specialty chemicals.
The current management of JSM have signed contracts with Univar to assure an uninterrupted transition, and look forward to continuing to drive the growth they have enjoyed since founding the company.
Commenting on the acquisition, Gerard Essink, Univar’s Regional Director for Iberia, stated, “We are very pleased at the opportunity to add JSM Chemicals to our Iberian business. It provides Univar with excellent growth potential, adding our product range to the well established commodity base of JSM, with the added advantage of a purpose-built facility in the growing industrial region around Valencia. JSM management have done an excellent job since the company’s inception in establishing and servicing a strong and loyal customer base, and we are delighted that they are remaining with Univar to continue their success.”
John Phillpotts, President of Univar Europe, also commented, “The purchase of JSM is consistent with our strategy of building market share in Europe, and in particular expanding our presence in existing markets through carefully targeted customer-focused companies.”
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About Univar
Univar N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: UNIVR) is one of the world’s leading independent distributors of industrial chemicals and providers of related specialty services, operating throughout both North America and Europe. Univar endeavours to service its customer base, made up of some 250,000 industrial customers, with a full portfolio of products. The majority are commodities that the company buys in bulk, then processes, blends and repacks to meet the diverse requirements of the industries we serve. Others are specialties—purchased pre-packaged and sold on a technical basis, usually under a manufacturer’s own brand. As well as differentiating ourselves through our vast product offering, Univar also provides a number of related services, both to its customers and suppliers, such as blending, managing customer inventories, packaging, labeling, warehouse management, waste management, technical support and managing vendor reduction programs. Univar operates a network of 163 distribution centers, spread across the United States, Canada and 18 European countries. In 2005, Univar generated net sales of USD 6.0 billion and operating income (EBIT) of USD 207.7 million. Univar has approximately 6,700 employees based throughout North America and Europe. The company’s registered office is in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with administrative support offices in Bellevue, Washington, USA, and Bradford, England, UK. For more information, visit: www.univarcorp.com
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