The Belgian profile manufacturer Deceuninck NV (B-8830 Hooglede-Gits; www.deceuninck.com) succeeded in recording strong growth again in 2000. Sales rose more than 20% to stand at EUR 340m and were divided evenly over the regions of North America, Great Britain, Western Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe with Turkey. The Turkish Ege Profil (Atatürk Organize Sanayi, Bölgesi 10003 Sok, No. 6, TR-Cigli-Izmir) was consolidated for the first time (see Plasteurope.com 2, 2000). A total of EUR 30m was invested in 2000 to provide the basis for further expansion. All in all, EUR 200m has been invested since 1996.

In a bid to offset the financial impact of the drastic increase in PVC prices (Deceuninck is expecting additional costs of EUR 18m) the company has engaged in restructuring measures and discontinued loss-making activities. This latter move prompted a EUR 6m drop in sales. The focus for 2001 is now on post-merger integration of the recently acquired companies. Further acquisitions and joint ventures are not excluded.