Azelis acquires Ametech, a leading speciality chemical distributor for agrochemical and fertiliser formulations
8th August 2016
Apax Azelis announces today that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Milan-based Ametech, a leading distributor for a complementary product basket of speciality chemicaAzelis announces today that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Milan-based Ametech, a leading distributor for a complementary product basket of speciality chemicals for agrochemical and fertiliser formulations, feed and veterinary, polymerisation in emulsion, industrial applications and other markets.
Azelis, a leading global speciality chemicals distributor, announces today that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Milan-based Ametech, a leading distributor for a complementary product basket of speciality chemicals for agrochemical and fertiliser formulations, feed and veterinary, polymerisation in emulsion, industrial applications and other markets.
With its Italian, French and Spanish operations, Ametech is a market leader in agrochemicals for the distribution of adjuvants and surfactants and employs around 30 employees who will all become part of the Azelis Group. The company has grown substantially in recent years as a result of product range and regional expansion. With its EMEA coverage, Ametech serves mainly small and medium sized formulators, which account for 30% of the total market. Representing and promoting a number of leading and innovative producers of speciality additives, Ametech’s portfolio fits extremely well with the Azelis strategy and current portfolio.
Dr Hans Joachim Müller, Azelis CEO, comments: “The acquisition of Ametech will allow Azelis to expand into this high performing sub-sector within the agricultural industry, a key market, in which we have had limited presence in the past. Ametech’s strong track record in product innovation and formulation, which has enabled them to grow faster than the market, perfectly complements our focus on the technical knowledge, laboratory formulation and application support to our customers.”
Mr Ambrogio Erba, Managing Director of Ametech, adds: “Further growth through product and territory expansion will keep our strong opportunity pipeline going. Becoming part of Azelis will enable us to utilise their growing global presence so that we can focus more on development and innovation. We now have a chance to expand that know-how into new territories, which is very exciting for us.” Mr Erba will become Market Segment Director for Speciality Agri/Horti business at Azelis.
In addition to its core business of crop protection, Ametech is also active in the following markets, among others: metal working & cleaning, textiles, monomers for emulsion polymerisation, and homecare.
The deal with Ametech demonstrates the commitment of funds advised by Apax Partners, the major shareholders in Azelis, to support its global growth in the speciality chemicals segment. Apax is confident that the expanded range of services and global reach provided by this acquisition, following that of US-based Koda Distribution Group in December last year, will bring significant benefits to customers of the combined Group.
Contact information
Azelis
Marina Kaptein
Head of Corporate Communications
T: +32 3 613 0125
E: marina.kaptein@azelis.com
Apax Partners
Alex Wessendorff
Apax Partners
T: + 44 20 7872 6461
E: alex.wessendorff@apax.com
About Azelis
Azelis is the leading global speciality chemicals distributor providing a diverse range of innovative products and services. Dedicated teams serve customers in the following industries: Personal Care, Pharma, Food & Health, Animal Nutrition, Specialty Agri/Horti, Homecare & Industrial Cleaning, CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) Chemicals, Lubricants & Metal Working Fluids and Rubber & Plastic Additives. Through sourcing and distribution channels in every major market around the world, Azelis with its corporate service centre in Antwerp, Belgium, offers chemical producers market penetration, in-depth local knowledge, value-added services and tailored multi-territory solutions. Azelis has a turnover of ca. €1.5 billion and employs around 1,500 knowledgeable people located in more than 45 facilities in over 35 countries across the EMEA, Asia Pacific and Americas regions. For more information, please visit: www.azelis.com.
About Apax Partners LLP
Apax Partners LLP is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 30-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments in excess of $45 billion*. Funds advised by Apax Partners invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech and Telco, Services, Health Care and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For further information about Apax Partners, please visit www.apax.com..
* Funds raised since 1981, commitments converted from fund currency to USD at FX rates as at June 30, 2016.