A privately-owned US organisation, The Nordic Group, based in Baraboo, Wisconsin, with a turnover in excess of USD 300m, has bought the UK blow moulder, Blowspeed (Manston Road, Ramsgate, GB-Kent CT12 6HW) for an undisclosed sum. Nordic´s plastics interests in the US, Flambeau Corporation and Flambeau Products Corporation, account for USD 170m of its turnover and Blowspeed, now renamed Flambeau Europlast, provides it with a first presence in the European market. Commenting on the acquisition, Nordic Group founder and president, WR Sauey said, “Blowspeed has a good track record and its proven capabilities made it the company we were looking for to spearhead our drive into Europe.”

Blowspeed supplies technical blow mouldings to customers such as Peugeot, Rover, Jaguar, GM and Volvo in the automotive market, plus other blue chip organisations like Beechams, Lego and Hoover. Its most recent turnover was GBP 8m and it has a staff of 200.

Chief executive Roger Dennett says the deal recognises his company´s strength in the UK and continental markets, as well as its potential for growth. “In practical terms,” confirms Dennett, “this industrial investment will bring growth, a plan of new investment, the ability to open up new markets and bring in new business.”

Flambeau, with US operations covering both blow moulding and injection moulding, specialises in components for industrial and consumer markets, including ranges of proprietary cases and storage products. Flambeau Europlast will have access to its US technical centre, described as world class.

Founded in 1947, the Nordic Group consists of 14 separate service and manufacturing companies and 28 marketing units. The export division has a network of distributors and retailers selling its products in 61 countries.