Semperit restructuring industrial products business

Vienna – Semperit AG is restructuring its industrial rubber products business to enhance the geographical reach and application-focus of the segment.

The reorganisation, along with plans to sell off its Sempermed medical gloves business, is part of a strategy to enhance group profitability, Semperit said 28 Jan.

Under the Austrian group’s SemperGrowth200 plan, launched last August, the rejig will increase the industrial unit's segments from the existing three to four.  

Sempertrans conveyor belt manufacturing, Semperform construction materials and Semperflex hose production are being joined by Semperseal seal production segment.

Each unit, said Semperit, will focus on developing non-European core markets, through production expansion and regional sales organisations, particularly in North America. 

In addition, Semperit has created a ‘customer excellence centre’ to ‘identify and develop’ new growth regions, industries and applications.

Going forward, the company aims to improve “customer intimacy”, while increasing focus on applications, according to the group’s statement.

Another focus of the new industrial strategy will be on innovation and digitalisation, it added.

“Rubber as our material has to face the requirements of Industry 4.0 and deliver digital functionalities as well,” said Dr Martin Füllenbach, CEO of Semperit AG. 

Through “organic growth and a clear M&A strategy”, Semperit said it expects to achieve “significantly higher” revenues by 2024, when it will mark its 200th birthday.