Its latest foray abroad has taken Mexichem (Tlalnepantla / Mexico; www.mexichem.com) to Canada. In a deal the financial details of which were not disclosed, the petrochemicals and pipes producer in late October purchased Gravenhurst Plastics (GPL, Gravenhurst, Ontario / Canada; www.gpltd.com), a producer of high-grade PE pipe and tubing products. The latter will become part of Mexichem’s Fluent business group, which includes the company’s “Dura-Line” brand.

Founded in 1968, GPL specialises in the manufacture of HDPE conduit and innerduct for fibre optics as well as building supply products. The company posted revenues of USD 15m in 2015. Upon announcing the acquisition, Mexichem said it plans to upgrade GPL’s facilities, located at headquarters in Gravenhurst and Temiskaming, Ontario / Canada.

Mexichem has invested heavily in its pipes business in recent years. In 2012, the company acquired Dutch pipes producer Wavin (see Plasteurope.com of 09.02.2012), following up in 2014 with the purchase of US competitor Dura-Line (see Plasteurope.com of 20.08.2014). Its activities also extend to Asia, where the group last year opened a second plant in India (see Plasteurope.com of 27.05.2015).