Since it first emerged on the European scene in 1991 with its acquisition of Synthecolor (7 avenue des Oziers, Z.I. du Vert Galant, F-95310 Saint Ouen l'Aumone) M.A. Hanna (200 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114-2304, USA) has established a position as one of the top three compounding and masterbatch operations in Europe, having already secured a leading place in the US market. It was not always so and just 10 years ago Hanna was a leading supplier of iron ore and coal with significant interests in steel, nickel and oil. During the recession of the early 1980s, as both the energy and the natural resources business fell on hard times, especially the steel industry, the company took the strategic decision to quit these businesses and enter areas that offered better growth prospects. It decided to focus on the specialty chemicals sector, particularly compounding. It began in 1986 with the purchase of a rubber compound business in the US and followed this up with acquisitions in the colour and additive masterbatch business and resin distribution.

Now the company is looking for further expansion and is targeting annual revenue growth of 12 to 15% and has a goal to reach USD 4bn in revenues by 2001 (from USD 1.9bn for 1995). International expansion is a key plank to that development and the company expects up to USD 1bn of its sales in 2001 to come from non-US operations. Most of its acquisition activity over the next five years is expected to occur in the international arena, with growth in all sectors in Europe. The company also plans to move into a new segment, probably next year, with four business areas being considered: adhesives, industrial coatings, plastics additives and speciality surfactants.

READER SERVICE: Company profile M.A. Hanna (German): PIE-No. 38542.