Consolidation in the European window profile segment continues. As suspected by insiders for some time, Deceuninck NV (B-8830 Hooglede-Gits; www.deceuninck.com), a major manufacturer of window and building profiles, is to take over its competitor Thyssen Polymer GmbH (D-94347 Bogen; www.thyssen-polymer.com). An agreement to this effect was signed in the week before Easter. Following approval by the antitrust authorities, the transaction should go through in June 2003.

As a result of the acquisition, Deceuninck claims it will become the leading company in the field of PVC profiles. In 2002 it was number three on the market, with an output of 125,000 t. Indeed, the Belgian group will easily overtake the previous second company, Veka, and in regard to the actual production figures even the leading company, HT Troplast. Thyssen Polymer, a further top-ten player in this segment (for details, see PIE 19, 2001), achieved sales of EUR 186m in 2002, with a production volume of 70,000 t/y. The company employs 650 people in Germany and another 250 worldwide.

As a result of what is the biggest takeover in the company´s history, Deceuninck will have a workforce of nearly 2,700 and sales of around EUR 550m. The regional profile of the company – which has so far had only a minor presence on the German market (see PIE 12, 2002) – will change. North America will remain the biggest regional market with 26% of sales. In Europe, business will focus far more strongly on southern Europe (19%) than before, followed by central and eastern Europe with 16%. The UK market (14%) will decline in importance. New for Deceuninck will be the German-speaking region, also including Austria and Switzerland, which will account for 10%. Benelux, with 9%, will bring up the rear. Asia accounts for only 5% of the company´s sales and certainly has significant potential for the future.