May 24 2010
The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Becker Acroma Industrial Wood Coatings, a subsidiary of AB Wilh. Becker based in Sweden.
The transaction, subject to certain regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the third quarter.
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Becker Acroma is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial wood coatings globally and a technology leader in water, UV, and other wood coatings.
Becker Acroma wood coatings serve the joinery, kitchen cabinet, furniture, and flooring markets directly and through distributors.
Becker Acroma has more than 900 employees and annual sales of approximately US$300 million. The Company has an outstanding reputation for innovative technology and quality products.
Becker Acroma currently operates 9 manufacturing facilities, 19 mixing sites and 13 technical centers around the world. (Sweden, Italy, Germany, France, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Canada, U.S.)
Christopher M. Connor, Chairman and CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company, said "We are pleased to bring Becker Acroma, a well-respected company, and their employees into the Sherwin-Williams family. This is another positive step in our strategy of steady growth and expansion through quality products and people who provide excellent customer service. This acquisition reaffirms our commitment to growing globally through organic expansion, accelerated by appropriate acquisitions."
Jenny Linden Urnes, owner and chairman of AB Wilh. Becker, commented, "We are very pleased to sell Becker Acroma to The Sherwin-Williams Company. Becker Acroma and its committed employees around the world have been a very much appreciated part of Beckers, and I wish them the best of luck in the future. We know Sherwin-Williams well, and I am confident that joining the Sherwin-Williams family will be good for Becker Acroma's employees, customers, and other stakeholders."
George E. Heath, President of Sherwin-Williams Global Finishes Group, stated, "The acquisition of Becker Acroma is another important step in our efforts to strengthen our growing global platform to better serve our customers around the world with outstanding assets, technology, and people."
Becker Acroma joins Sherwin-Williams' growing Global Finishes Group following the acquisitions of Sayerlack (2010), Inchem (2008) and Becker Powder Coatings U.S. (2008)
Kaj Brandt, CEO of Becker Acroma Industrial Wood Coatings said, "We are excited to join the Sherwin-Williams family and to contribute to the company's success across the globe. We have respected Sherwin-Williams for years, and are delighted to now be a partner."
Source: http://www.sherwin.com/