The Kendrion group (HQ: NL-3704 HD Zeist; www.kendrion.com) is negotiating the sale of parts of its Automotive Plastics division, as the business no longer fits the company´s strategy of holding leading positions in niche markets. However, president and CEO Piet Veenema told Plasteurope.com it is too early to disclose which units will be affected. In spring 2003, the company said margins of Kendrion Automotive, comprising both metal and plastics operations, were under pressure. In 2002, the division posted sales of EUR 376m. The group´s annual report attributed the problems in particular to sluggish sales of the VW Golf IV models that were being phased out and the delayed start-up of the new model. The situation is not believed to have improved significantly during 2003.

Kendrion´s automotive plastics business is focused regionally in Germany, where half of its ten companies are based. Apart from Kendrion Backhaus in Kierspe and Kendrion RSL Germany in Lennestadt, the group also owns Kendrion Systems Wächtersbach (D-63607 Wächtersbach) – previously Varta Plastics – acquired in 1998. In addition to supplying automotive parts, Kendrion also has an “Industrial” division (including electromagnetic components and fixtures) and a “Distribution Services” division (essentially the semi-finished products group Vink (NL-3704 HD Zeist; www.vink.com). Total sales in 2002 amounted to EUR 836m.

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Kendrion Annual Report 2002 as PDF document (841 KB)