Revenues of plastics and speciality chemicals distributor Biesterfeld (Hamburg / Germany; www.biesterfeld.com) were flat in 2018 at EUR 1.2 bn. The company managed, however, to increase the operating result to EUR 53.9m, slightly higher than the EUR 51.2m achieved in 2017 – see Plasteurope.com of 12.06.2018.

The family-owned company said its business development had exceeded expectations and enabled it to reinforce its position as market leader in selected segments of the international chemicals and plastics market. All its four business divisions made positive contributions to the group’s result.

Biesterfeld also expanded its market shares globally and particularly in Europe, where it primarily generated organic growth. It also had a “successful” first quarter of 2019 and said it was optimistic for the rest of 2019 despite persistent geopolitical and industry-specific challenges.

In other news, the company has announced a change in management. Since 1 June 2019, Biesterfeld’s finance director is Hagen Reck, replacing Christian Wolfsohn, who will go into retirement.