The Group sales of Wavin BV (HQ: NL-8000 AD Zwolle) rose in 1999 by 3% to EUR 770m. The company was thus able to further expand its position as Europe´s biggest manufacturer of plastic pipes. Wavin is particularly proud of its 90% increase in net earnings to EUR 42m. The main factors for this positive result were the higher sales, various improvements in operating activities and certain tax benefits.

The operating activities of the Wavin Group last year were far greater than is evident from the sales growth. Volumes were up 8% to 362,000 t, a figure that illustrates the enormous quantity of plastics that go into manufacturing pipes. In 1999, Wavin benefited from the unexpectedly strong increase in the number of pipe orders destined for extending the European telecom infrastructure. In the current year, the aim is to raise sales by a further 6-10% through further acquisitions and organic growth – en route to world market leadership, says the company.

At the beginning of 1999, Shell sold its 50% interest in Wavin to the investment company CVC Capital-Partners (see Plasteurope.com 24,1998). The other half still belongs to WMO (Water Company of the Dutch Province of Overijssel).