Witten, March 16th, 2023. The ARDEX Group announced that it has further strengthened its market position in Hongkong by acquiring Score Tech Mortars, a leading manufacturer of construction chemicals for the Hongkong and Macau markets.
Score Tech Mortars was established in 1999 and is a leading supplier of dry mix mortar products for the public housing, government buildings and infrastructure sectors. The company’s product portfolio includes plasters and renders, tile adhesives and non-shrink grouts. Furthermore, innovative products like early strength pre-batched concrete and grouts, lightweight mortars and sustainable products like biochar mortars or skim coats.
With its new production plant situated in the Guangdong province in China, Score Tech Mortars is ideally positioned to capitalize on the future growth of the Great Bay Area.
“This acquisition underscores our growth ambitions in the Asian region. We’re delighted to make a significant step forward and would like to welcome Score Tech Mortars and its employees to the ARDEX family. Given its strong brand and only minimal overlaps of the product portfolio and sales channels, the company perfectly complements ARDEX’ existing activities in Hongkong,” says Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of the ARDEX Group.
Jaime Yeung, Managing Director or Score Tech Mortars, adds: “Our team is looking forward to becoming a member of the ARDEX family. The mutual sharing of experience and knowledge will help us continue our global vision in technological development. The support from ARDEX with its wide product range and advanced technology will also enable Score Tech Mortars to provide all-round product supplies and service to our customers. We strongly believe the acquisition will be a starting point for Score Tech Mortars to pursue further success with enhanced competitive power.”
Score Tech Mortars will continue to operate independently under the current management of the company.
About ARDEX: For more than 70 years, ARDEX has been the quality leader for an entire industry, offering excellent building chemicals with supreme processing reliability – the brand of choice for installers and wholesalers. ARDEX remains an independent, family-owned business focused on our most important tradition: uncompromising quality. Today over 4,000 employees in more than 50 countries work towards our vision of being the leading solution and service provider of innovative building systems. With its more than ten brands, the ARDEX Group generates net sales of more than 930 million euros worldwide.
New Photovoltaic Systems Globally: ARDEX Invests in Sustainable Energy
Investing in electricity from solar power
Greater independence in the event of possible energy shortages, high CO2 savings: ARDEX has commissioned a 3,200 square meter photovoltaic (PV) system at its headquarters in Witten. It is part of a global sustainability initiative in which the company is investing around 3 million euros.
The high-performance PV system at ARDEX Germany in Witten was installed on the roofs of their new logistics center, which includes a warehouse, shipping and adjacent buildings, and of Plant 1. It supplements the existing small system from 2017 on the roof of the research and development center and increases electricity generation from solar energy many times over. The expansion is set to continue in the first quarter of next year, with further solar panels for Plant 2.
“We expect a yield of more than 570,000 kWh, which is roughly equivalent to the consumption of 160 households,” says Dr. Hubert Motzet. As the Managing Director Technical, he is responsible for sustainability issues. In the first quarter of next year, the expansion will continue, says Dr. Motzet: “Then we will also equip Plant 2 with solar panels on an area of around 1,750 square meters. That will be another 320,000 kWh per year.”
In addition, PV systems are being installed at other ARDEX sites. Some of the projects have already been implemented, including the one at ARDEX subsidiary Seire in Madrid (Spain) and at ARDEX Denmark in Hedensted. ARDEX Austria will install a system later this year, and ARDEX UK in early 2023.
Sustainability is an opportunity
ARDEX recognizes that renewable energies are becoming increasingly important and has included them in the plans for many new buildings.
“Of course, this pays off in the current energy crisis because it makes us a bit more independent of current prices and possible energy shortages,” says Dr. Hubert Motzet. But that is not the only reason for the high investments. “We have made it our mission to become more and more sustainable. The PV plants in Germany and worldwide are a building block of our sustainability strategy. This alone will save us more than 1,300 tons of CO2 per year from 2023.”
About ARDEX : The ARDEX Group is one of the global market leaders for high-performance specialty building materials. As a family-owned business, the company has pursued a sustainable growth path for more than 70 years. ARDEX now has more than 3,900 employees and is present in over 50 countries on all continents, with a virtually comprehensive presence in one of its core markets, Europe. With almost twenty major brands, ARDEX generates total sales of more than 930 million EUR worldwide.
Sustainable Packaging: Up to 75% Less CO2
Making packaging “greener”: That is the goal of the ARDEX Group worldwide. Because acting sustainably and responsibly is part of the company’s DNA. The recycling of materials and the use of IBC containers is intended to noticeably reduce waste volumes and CO2 emissions. Three of many examples of sustainable approaches at ARDEX.
ARDEX Scandinavia: new buckets, same top quality
ARDEX in Scandinavia just introduced new buckets, that are made of 75% recycled plastic (PCR). And the only difference between the new 5- and 20-kg buckets and the old ones is the color: Many buckets are now partially gray instead of white.
“We teamed up with our plastics supplier to change these buckets. After all, this is the area where we use the most plastic. The supplier was immediately on board and excited about providing buckets made from recycled plastic“, says Michael Nielsen, Managing Director of ARDEX Scandinavia.
ARDEX Germany: Grout in a recycled bucket
Meanwhile in Germany, ARDEX G 10 grout is one of the first products made from recycled plastic. At the same time ARDEX has changed the shape of the buckets.
“We started in two places: the material and the size of the buckets. By using recycled plastic alone, we save 75% of CO2 emissions. In addition, the new bucket helps us close the material cycle because it can be recycled again afterwards. And the bucket is narrower. As a result, it requires less material and we can now fit 90 buckets on a pallet instead of 60. This also reduces emissions generated during transport.” Dr. Julia Soldat, Sustainability Officer of the ARDEX Group
There are also other positive effects: Less plastic has to be produced, thus, less plastic waste ends up in landfills – and ultimately less in the oceans.
Wakol: recyclable and IBC containers
Wakol, the global producer of flooring installation products, is taking a two-pronged approach to sustainable packaging. On the one hand, more and more containers are being produced with PCR. The share is between 30 and 50% – the higher the PCR content, the darker the color of the container. Customers can also easily identify the recycled packaging by a logo on the label. The aim is to save 150 metric tons of new plastics by the end of 2022 with these new containers.
On the other hand, WAKOL uses IBC containers for the distribution of larger quantities, especially for sealants and industrial adhesives. They can be returned to the container supplier for reconditioning – which is free of charge for Wakol customers throughout Europe. The IBC supplier then only replaces individual components, after which it can be used again.
About ARDEX : The ARDEX Group is one of the global market leaders for high-performance specialty building materials. As a family-owned business, the company has pursued a sustainable growth path for more than 70 years. ARDEX now has more than 3,900 employees and is present in over 50 countries on all continents, with a virtually comprehensive presence in one of its core markets, Europe. With almost twenty major brands, ARDEX generates total sales of more than 930 million EUR worldwide.
About Wakol: The Wakol GmbH is a leading family business with more than 200 employees in the group and is headquartered in Pirmasens, Germany. Wakol develops, produces and distributes adhesives and compounds with high quality standards. The selected niche market offer excellent growth opportunities at home and abroad, with the customer always top of mind. For more information, visit www.wakol.com.
ARDEX Introduces New “ecobuild TECHNOLOGY” Label
Sustainability is becoming more and more important for us at ARDEX, and for our customers and the entire industry. Earlier this year, ARDEX introduced a new label called “ecobuild TECHNOLOGY”. The goal of this label is to offer our customers an easy way to identify products that meet important sustainability criteria and are therefore particularly sustainable.
These criteria include, for example, the proportion of renewable raw materials, CO2 emissions during production and pollutant emissions after processing. And technical criteria – such as the yield of the product – also play a role.
The first product to carry the label is the wall rendering compound ARDEX A 828 COMFORT from ARDEX Germany. More products will follow throughout this year.
The importance of building sustainably
Building sustainably is becoming more and more important – and with it the desire of the skilled trades to recognize sustainable products quickly and easily.
“Sustainability has been a high priority at ARDEX for years. Thus, very many of our products are already particularly low-emission and environmentally friendly”, says Dr. Hubert Motzet, Managing Director Research & Development and responsible for sustainability topics. “In Germany alone, more than 96 percent of our products are classified as very low emission.”
The new ecobuild TECHNOLOGY label is intended to provide better orientation in terms of sustainability. “The label is linked to numerous concrete criteria from the areas of environment and resources, technical performance, and residential health, which are of course carefully tested and monitored,” explains Dr. Motzet. “Anyone who chooses a product with the ecobuild label can be sure that this supports sustainable building in the best possible way – at the highest technical level.”
ARDEX A 828 COMFORT with ecobuild-Label
The first ecobuild product is the ultra-light wall compound ARDEX A 828 COMFORT. “We developed the lightweight filler three years ago on the basis of the classic A 828, which has been known to many as ARDUMUR for over 40 years. Even at that time, the focus was on technical performance and sustainability.
This includes, for example, that the product yields around 30% more than competitive products, meaning it has very low consumption.” Added to this are raw materials that are particularly ecological, reduce CO2 and are classified as having very low emissions overall.
Newly labeled – but just as good
Motzet emphasizes: “We can reduce our ecological footprint with the so-called mass balance process. The principle is the same as for green electricity: In production, we can do without fossil raw materials by using biobased raw materials,” Motzet continues.
ARDEX A 828 COMFORT: An overview
ARDEX A 828 COMFORT is particularly suitable for smoothing wall and ceiling surfaces and for filling joints in plasterboard and precast concrete ceilings. In holes, breakouts and on surfaces, the lightweight filler can be filled to any thickness. The material is open to diffusion and suitable for paints and wallpapers as well as for various design techniques. In addition, ARDEX A 828 COMFORT is convenient to work with.
The ecobuild advantages of ARDEX A 828 COMFORT:
Consists of natural raw materials (based on the mass balance method)
Contains renewable raw materials
Meets the highest quality level 4 according to DGNB
Is certified very low emission (EMICODE EC 1 Plus)
Want to learn more about ARDEX sustainable efforts? Click here!
About ARDEX: The ARDEX Group is one of the global market leaders for high-performance specialty building materials. As a family-owned business, the company has pursued a sustainable growth path for more than 70 years. ARDEX now has more than 3,900 employees and is present in over 50 countries on all continents, with a virtually comprehensive presence in one of its core markets, Europe. With almost twenty brands, ARDEX generates total sales of more than 930 million EUR worldwide.
Biggest acquisition in the company’s history: ARDEX takes up majority stake in wedi
Ardex continues to grow: the German-based construction chemicals specialist is taking up a majority shareholding in wedi GmbH, a leading manufacturer of system solutions for high-quality wet room solutions based in Emsdetten, Germany – it is the largest acquisition in the company’s history. The employees of both family-run companies have already been informed of the development. In this respect, the management made it clear that wedi will continue to operate independently. In addition, Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin will remain in place as the Managing Directors of wedi. Stephan Wedi will also continue in his shareholder role.
For Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of the Ardex Group, this cooperation is a milestone in the development of the company – and his delight at the future collaboration with wedi is correspondingly great.
“The ARDEX Group is taking a major step forward with the acquisition of the market leader for watertight shower and construction systems. There could be no better way to enhance our systems competence – ARDEX and wedi are two strong brands which complement one another in an ideal manner. As family-run companies, we also share a common understanding of the importance of customer proximity, innovation and quality. All in all it is the perfect basis for a successful cooperation.”
The managing directors of wedi, Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin, also regard the cooperation as tremendously beneficial for the two companies. Above all the international Ardex network and the complementary strengths in the product areas were an important factor for wedi in reaching its decision.
“ARDEX is a perfect growth accelerator for us – one only has to think of the many global markets and the joint innovation potential. It was of tremendous importance to us that we find a partner with whom we can safeguard our independence and contribute our strengths to ensure joint growth. To this, we will also implement the already planned capacity expansions together with Ardex. The matter is one very close to my heart, and from the very outset my gut feeling about Ardex was extremely positive,” says Stephan Wedi.
wedi is already very successful in Europe, and in particular in Germany and France, and it is the market leader in North America – since 2017 with its own factory in Batavia, Illinois. The objective of the cooperation with the other companies in the Ardex Group is that of developing this position. “wedi and Ardex complement one another excellently, not just in Germany, but also in other core markets such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand, France, England, Austria, Switzerland or Benelux. The innovative strength of the Ardex Group is enormous, and as a result, we expect to make considerable advances,” adds Fabian Rechlin. “Our partners in the trade have long been encouraging us to take a major step forward. We are doing so now.”
Independent family-owned companies
Furthermore, for both companies it is important that they retain their independence in full. In the future wedi will be a stand-alone company within the Ardex Group – headed by its current managing directors Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin. The trading name, location, brand name and marketing strategy will not change either. The same is true of the contact persons for clients and suppliers.
Inventor of watertight shower and construction systems
wedi is the market leader for watertight shower and construction systems in Europe and North America. The success story began in 1983 with the invention of a totally watertight building board – to this day the board with the blue core is still the company’s trademark. What began as a one-man operation in his garage at home is now an international company with more than 500 employees and a further production site in the USA.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the economic terms of the cooperation. Metzler Corporate Finance exclusively supported wedi in the transaction as M&A advisor.
From left to right: Mark Eslamlooy, Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin
About ARDEX: The ARDEX Group is one of the global market leaders for high-performance specialty building materials. As a family-owned business, the company has pursued a sustainable growth path for more than 70 years. ARDEX now has more than 3,900 employees and is present in over 50 countries on all continents, with a virtually comprehensive presence in one of its core markets, Europe. With almost twenty brands, ARDEX generates total sales of more than 930 million EUR worldwide.
About wedi: wedi GmbH, based in Emsdetten, is a leading manufacturer of and systems provider for directly tileable, watertight construction elements in Europe and North America. The extensive portfolio is complemented by high-quality design surfaces which provide additional design options in the bathroom. With its innovative system solutions and guaranteed system reliability, wedi offers long-lasting, complete solutions for wet rooms. The family company, founded in 1983 by Helmut Wedi, currently employs around 500 members of staff and is active in more than 50 countries.
Witten, Germany, July 5, 2021
ARDEX Group, the leading global solution and service provider of innovative building systems, announced today that it has further strengthened its market position in New Zealand by acquiring the business of Drymix NZ. The company has been placed into receivership in mid-2020. The acquisition by ARDEX secures the future of the company and its employees.
Drymix operates two production facilities, one on the North Island and one on the South Island. And it manufactures and supplies a range of bagged concrete and mortar products that are designed for use in DIY and projects where small amounts of concrete are needed. Going forward, the products will be marketed under the brand Dunlop Drymix. The Dunlop brand is already a prominent brand in the market, which will now evolve to embrace Drymix concretes and cements.
“We’re delighted to welcome Drymix and its employees to the ARDEX family. With the acquisition of Drymix, we become the market leader for pre-mixed bagged concretes in New Zealand”, says Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of ARDEX Group. “The additional production sites bring us closer to the customer, therefore helping us to reduce both delivery times and our carbon footprint.”
For more information on Dunlop, visit their website here: www.dunlopdiy.com
September 2019, Pittsburgh (United States), Gaspar (Brazil)
The ARDEX Group, a leader in the manufacture of high performance, specialty building materials, announced today it has acquired a strategic stake in Ceramfix of Brazil.
Ceramfix is a leading manufacturer of products for the installation of ceramic tiles, including mortars, tile adhesives, grouts, waterproofing, and accessories. Founded in 1993, Ceramfix is now among the top four tiling companies in Brazil.
“We are delighted to welcome Ceramfix to the ARDEX Group,” said Mark Eslamlooy, CEO ARDEX Group. “Their culture of customer service and innovative product technology will be a great addition to our company, allowing us to now serve customers in the Brazilian market.”
“We look forward to continuing our growth trajectory alongside the ARDEX Group,” said Shareholders and Managing Directors Antonio Carlos Schmitt, Francisco Hostins and Mario Jose Schmitt. “Like the ARDEX Group, we’re a family business and we expect the similar corporate cultures to foster creative synergies far into the future.”
Ceramfix will remain an independent company within the ARDEX Group, managed by the current shareholders and leadership staff.
Founded in 1993, Ceramfix Group is a family-owned company that manufactures products for the installation of ceramic tiles, including mortars, tile adhesives, grouts, waterproofing and accessories. As one of the major tiling companies in Brazil, Ceramfix has 10 facilities including manufacturing centers, warehouses, training centers and sales offices. Ceramfix is equally dedicated to delivering both agility and quality in the marketplace.
Germany and Australia – Wakol and ARDEX Australia announced today, they have jointly acquired a strategic majority stake in Nexus Adhesives, a leading manufacturer of flooring adhesives in Australia.
Nexus Adhesives was established in Australia in 2006 and is a market leader in the industry. They manufacture and distribute flooring adhesives as well as carpet backing compounds throughout Australia and New Zealand. Dedicated to delivering innovative, dependable products, Nexus Adhesives focuses on servicing the professional contractor.
“This joint venture strengthens our leading position in the Australian market,” said Mark Eslamlooy, CEO ARDEX Group. “With our system competence we provide solutions for our customers.”
“We feel very proud that ARDEX and Wakol have asked Nexus Adhesives to join the group,” Jonathon Clewlow and Brett Nixon said, Owners of Nexus Adhesives. “It’s a vote of confidence in Australian manufacturing and we look forward to exploring growth opportunities for Nexus Adhesives both in Australia and further afield.”
Nexus Adhesives will continue to operate independently from the ARDEX companies. Jonathon Clewlow and Brett Nixon will continue to manage and drive Nexus Adhesives forward.
Ditzingen, Germany — Adhesives manufacturer Wakol is increasing its share in Loba, a global manufacturer of surface treatments, and now holds a majority stake in the company. Wakol has been majority-owned by Ardex since 2015, and this transaction will make Loba part of the international Ardex Group.
To facilitate the transaction, four long-standing Loba shareholders have put their shares up for sale. The overriding goal of this decision is to safeguard the company’s long-term success. Therefore, the new shareholder structure consists of Wakol and Michael Fischer, who will remain as managing partner.
“By linking Loba with Wakol, we have managed to provide our company with an extremely sustainable perspective and pave the way for my succession early on,” said Michael Fischer, managing partner. “The international operations of the Ardex Group offer excellent opportunities to continue growing and to lead Loba into a successful future”.
Strengthening of cooperation
Christian Groß, Wakol shareholder and CEO, sees the strengthening and expansion of the existing cooperation as a common goal:
“Loba and Wakol have been working together excellently for over 20 years and we are now able to reinforce this even further. I am convinced that the Ardex Group offers great opportunities for both companies, whilst at the same time preserving the values and culture of a family business.”
Loba’s Ditzingen headquarters will be expanded as a development and production center for surface finishing within the Ardex Group. The treatment and finishing of wood and cork currently play a key role for Loba. Additionally, the company is expanding its activities in finishing resilient floor coverings as well as cementitious surfaces.
The company name, brand, and sales structure will remain unchanged, as well as the contacts for customers and suppliers. In both companies, the organization and personnel will remain the same.
Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of the Ardex Group, said the cooperation with Loba provides the company with an opportunity to expand its competence in the field of flooring systems and surface finishes: “The Loba brand enjoys a distinguished reputation and stands for technical competence, premium products and outstanding service. The strong international orientation and the extremely high level of commitment of the people involved have convinced us that Loba is the ideal partner for us.”
Founded in 1922, the finishing and care of parquet and hardwood floors has been the core business of the company based in Ditzingen near Stuttgart for almost 100 years. Loba also owns subsidiaries in Brazil and China, as well as joint ventures with Wakol in Poland and North America. The Loba Group currently employs around 120 people, 97 of whom work at the Ditzingen site. Technical excellence, top-quality products and the extremely well-focused customer orientation are the key factors for the success of the Loba brand in over 60 countries.
Witten (Germany), Melbourne/Sydney (Australia) and Livermore, CA/Aliquippa, PA (USA) The ARDEX Group announced today it has attained a strategic stake in DTA, a quality tools, trims and machinery provider for the wall and floor market.
DTA was established in Australia in 1976, and is a market leader in the industry. They manufacture, import and distribute high-end tools, trims and machinery throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America. Dedicated to delivering innovative, dependable products, DTA focuses on servicing the professional contractor.
“This joint venture is an exciting addition to the ARDEX strategy of system solutions,” said Mark Eslamlooy, CEO ARDEX Group. “The burgeoning synergies we develop with DTA will present additional value to our customers.”
“DTA is proud to be welcomed into the fold of the ARDEX Group,” said Phillip Cozens, Owner of DTA. “We anticipate building on opportunities for DTA in markets around the world.”
Established in 1976, DTA is engaged in the manufacture, importation and distribution of quality tools, trims and machinery for the wall and floor market. In operation for more than 40 years DTA has been the market leader and trusted name in the tiling industry nationwide. The extensive range of DTA branded products is well known throughout the industry, however we also have distribution agreements with many leading international brands from around the world.
“This acquisition underscores our growth ambitions in the Asian region. We’re delighted to make a significant step forward and would like to welcome Score Tech Mortars and its employees to the ARDEX family. Given its strong brand and only minimal overlaps of the product portfolio and sales channels, the company perfectly complements ARDEX’ existing activities in Hongkong,” says Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of the ARDEX Group.
Sustainability is becoming more and more important for us at ARDEX, and for our customers and the entire industry. Earlier this year, ARDEX introduced a new label called “ecobuild TECHNOLOGY”. The goal of this label is to offer our customers an easy way to identify products that meet important sustainability criteria and are therefore particularly sustainable.
The first ecobuild product is the ultra-light wall compound ARDEX A 828 COMFORT. “We developed the lightweight filler three years ago on the basis of the classic A 828, which has been known to many as ARDUMUR for over 40 years. Even at that time, the focus was on technical performance and sustainability.
