The takeover offer made by world´s third largest chemical distributor, Royal Vopak (NL-3011 GB Rotterdam; www.vopak.com) for the fourth largest distributor, Ellis & Everard (E&E, GB-Bradford, West Yorkshire; www.elliseverard.com), was successful. – See Plasteurope.com 22, 2000. By early January, nearly 93% of E&E shareholders had accepted the offer and on 16 January the EU gave the green light for the deal. With pro forma sales of EUR 4.2 bn, including Vopak´s EUR 1.4 bn, Royal Vopak advances to world market leader in chemical distribution.

Through the buy, the Dutch group has leapfrogged ahead of Germany´s Brenntag (D-45472 Mülheim; www.brenntag.de). With the acquisition of Holland Chemical International (HCI) Brenntag had recently replaced long-time market leader Ashland of the US. In Europe, Brenntag/HCL continues to be market leader. However, Vopak is moving in on the top spot. With the E&E coup it gained considerable distance on third-ranked Biesterfeld.

In cooperation with its US partner Performance Polymers and Europe´s Distrupol (GB-Chertsey, Surrey; www.distrupol.com), Ellis and Everard has important activities in plastics distribution. Vopak´s focus is more on the chemical commodities sector; however, some of its national subsidiaries are also active in plastics. The acquisition of E&E represents an important step towards carrying out its corporate strategy, the Dutch distribution giant said. This plan, conceived and announced in August 2000, foresees a doubling of sales in chemical distribution within three years. With the E&E buy, the group has already moved halfway towards its goal.