Hempel A/S has signed an agreement to acquire 65% of one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of decorative paint, J.W. Ostendorf (JWO). The investment in JWO is a significant reinforcement in Hempel’s third strategic business area – the decorative business.

Hempel Group president & CEO Henrik Andersen said: "Our decorative business is relatively new and has therefore naturally been a bit overshadowed by the company’s two other strategic business areas, Marine and Protective. This is now over. With the investment in JWO, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of decorative paint, we have grown our decorative business significantly and sent a signal that we are ready to do more – in Europe and globally."

JWO has a unique position in the market as the only private label specialist in Europe. Across 20 European countries and five non-European countries, JWO works to drive forward the develop-ment of retail brands.

The company has approximately 750 employees and is located in Coesfeld, North Rhine West-phalia, Germany, and in Cestas, France. JWO is the most modern paint manufacturer of Europe. The production is highly automated, environmentally friendly and there is a constant focus on hygiene. JWO is certified by LGA (derived hygiene standards for paint as for the food industry). Among other things, the production is primarily water-based, but JWO also produces solvent-based products.

"I have great expectations of JWO and I have great expectations about JWO joining forces with another leading European decorative company, UK-based Crown Paints – also part of the Hempel Group. In close collaboration, both companies will develop and grow the Hempel family’s decorative business in Europe," said Henrik Andersen.

JWO is a family-owned, tradition bound company where the former CEO and majority shareholder Michael Ostendorf and his sons Jan and Jens Ostendorf will continue to be involved in the busi-ness as shareholders. Going forward, JWO will be managed on a daily basis by Jan and Jens Ostendorf, continuing the entrepreneurial tradition, the values and the relationships that have shaped the company. Jan and Jens Ostendorf will be responsible for the North and South European markets respectively.

Michael Ostendorf said: "It is with great pride and joy that we now become part of the Hempel Group. I particularly look forward to the close collaboration we are forming with Crown Paints. By joining forces, we create a strong platform for continued expansion in the European decorative market."

JWO has grown in Europe through the takeover of the French paint manufacturer, Renaulac with its well-known premium brand, also carrying the name Renaulac. Renaulac will strengthen the Hempel Group’s position in France.

Following closing of the transaction Joe Devitt, CEO of Crown Paints and new top executive in Hempel Decorative Europe, will be responsible for ensuring that Crown Paints and JWO join forces. JWO and Crown will continue to serve their customers as two distinct entities, but in doing so, both will draw from the intellectual and material resources of both partners, i.e. brand portfolio, production facilities and common synergies, for example in the supply chain. Being able to pro-duce the highest quality of coatings directly in tomorrow’s key markets of Germany, France and UK offers a unique advantage.

Joe Devitt summarised the business logic of the partnership: "We are both passionate about paint and about serving our customers. Our business values are very similar; our market coverage, know-how and production facilities are complementary. It’s a perfect match."

Hempel is going through a substantial transformation these years with the purpose of making the Hempel Group a leading global player. Among other things, this is accomplished through an in-creased customer focus. Global customers demand global presence and this requires insight into the customers’ businesses, circumstances and economy in order to develop and offer the right products and to provide the right service.

"It was instrumental to Hempel that JWO had the same approach to the customers as we do. Therefore, I am glad that the Ostendorf family had the same expectation to us. The family high-lighted our customer focus and our values when they

decided to trust us with the majority of the shares of their company," says Henrik Andersen.

Hempel’s investment in JWO is one of many made during recent years. Besides Crown Paints, Hempel has successfully acquired and integrated companies such as Schaepman (The Netherlands) and Jones Blair (US) into the Hempel family.