Intensified collaboration in Germany
Intensifying their collaboration in the automotive repair business, sia Abrasives and Sika have established a joint venture company in Germany, called part GmbH, to serve this market segment on a sustained basis. The objective is to strengthen the competitive position of both companies.
The marketing collaboration with Sika AG, a global speciality chemicals company in Baar, is being promoted by the formation of part GmbH, a joint venture company based in Bad Urach (Germany). part (premium automotive repair technologies) stands for a distribution model that sia Abrasives and Sika have adopted to offer a combined spectrum of automotive repair products through existing and new sales channels. The range encompasses adhesives and sealants from Sika, abrasives and surface finishing systems from sia Abrasives, and a line of workplace safety products. This enables the partners to distribute the best quality products and services from a single source through a more closely knit sales network. While realising synergies in marketing, distribution and logistics, the partners expect to gain market share and thereby strengthen their competitive positions.
The new company, part GmbH, will start operations on 1 November 2006, having made its debut at the Automechanika Trade Fair in September 2006.
The sia Group based in Frauenfeld ranks among the world’s top three suppliers of coated abrasives. It develops, manufactures and markets complete abrasive systems tailored to specific requirements and applications for surface preparation and finishing of all kinds. This commitment has made sanding and grinding into true surface technologies. Employing some 1,100 people worldwide, sia Abrasives posted net sales of CHF 261.4 million and operating profit (EBITDA) of CHF 40.5 million for 2005. sia Abrasives Holding AG is listed on SWX Swiss Exchange and generates more than 90% of its sales outside Switzerland.
Financial calendar23 March 2007, 9 a.m. Annual press conference at SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich
23 March 2007, 11 a.m. Analyst conference at SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich
24 April 2007, 4 p.m. Annual General Meeting of Shareholders at Frauenfeld Stadtcasino
30 April 2007 Dividend payment
For further information
Peter A. Schifferle, CEO and Executive Director
Gerhard Mahrle, CFO and Investor Relations
Phone: +41 52 724 45 75
Fax: +41 52 724 45 70
E-mail: ir@sia-abrasives.com
Internet: http://www.sia-abrasives.com/
® Correct nomenclature for sia Abrasives Holding AG
As there are other companies and organizations that use the same abbreviation as our company, we would be grateful if you could help to avoid any misunderstandings by always writing our name as follows: sia Abrasives (never just sia by itself). |
