Trelleborg buys Czech compounder from Rado

Trelleborg, Sweden -- Trelleborg AB has acquired the remaining 70 percent of Elastomer Compounding s.r.o. (ECS) of the Czech Republic from Rado of Germany. Trelleborg has owned 30 percent of ECS since 1998. ECS's mixing unit is located in Lesina. The acquisition was made through Trelleborg's Building Systems business area.

ECS produces rubber mixtures primarily for profile manufacturers focusing on the construction and industrial sectors. Most of ECS's production is already delivered to the Trelleborg Group. Annual sales are approximately SEK 75 M (Euro 8 million) and the unit has 40 employees.

In step with our expansion in Eastern Europe, we also need to secure competitive materials support,” says Peter Suter, President of the Trelleborg Building Systems business area. This is a modern facility that strengthens Trelleborg's competitiveness and provides the conditions for increased growth in both Eastern and Western Europe.”

The mixing unit has a production capacity of approximately 20 000 tonnes, which allows substantial room for growth.

Synergies will be generated in the form of shared purchasing and cost-efficient supplies to existing units, primarily in the Trelleborg Building Systems and Trelleborg Automotive business areas, and the acquisition also supports Trelleborg Automotive's projected manufacturing plant in Romania, plans for which were recently decided.

The takeover was completed in early January, 2006.

Press release from Trelleborg announcing completion of the deal

Press release from Trelleborg announcing agreement