Coatings World - March 2015

Africa

by Shem Oirere Africa Correspondent

Leading global provider of adhesives, sealants and other speciality chemical products, H.B. Fuller has acquired Kenya-based industrial adhesives firm Continental Products Limited, giving it added advantage in delivering its range of products to key customers in the East and Central African regions.

H.B. Fuller, which recently announced fiscal 2014 net revenue of $2.1 billion, said the acquisition falls within its growth strategy for emerging markets, as it will enable the company to fully leverage its broad-based technology portfolio and effectively deliver specialty adhesive products to the market, where it has enjoyed strong customer relationships and local manufacturing capabilities with Continental Products Ltd.

H.B. Fuller’s senior vice president for Europe, India, Middle East, Africa (EIMEA) region, Steve Kenny, talked to Coatings World on this exciting development in the company’s expansion plan.

Coatings World: Considering the many years H.B. Fuller has been in business and the experience attached to such longevity in the market, why did the company opt for an acquisition in East Africa rather than setting up a subsidiary from scratch?

Steve Kenny: We had a long working relationship for many years with Continental Products including licensing our technology to them and also selling our products to them for re-sale to customers in the region. What we have done with this acquisition is to continue building on what this relationship has achieved and ensuring the great service that has been offered by Continental Products is expanded.

H.B. Fuller recently acquired Kenya-based industrial adhesives firm, Continental Products. The company said the acquisition is part of its growth strategy for emerging markets.