Teknor Apex to buy Sarlink next Monday

Duesseldorf, Germany -- Teknor Apex is to exchange contracts on the previously-announced acquisition of the Sarlink business from DSM Elastomers next Monday (1 November 2010), according to Teknor's European Managing director, Simon Hubbard.

Hubbard said he had spent much of the K show reassuring Sarlink's existing customers that there will be good continuity, once the deal completes. he said for the first few months nothing will change. All customer-facing staff will remain in place. All contracts arrangements will be maintained. he said that in the early months, Teknor staff will learn about the Sarlink products, while Sarlink staff will also learn about the Teknor product range.

DSM has loaned two senior staff to Teknor to help support the transition. Sarlink Business Unit Director and President David Huizing will remain with Sarlink for a few months to oversee the transition then revert back to DSM.

As time goes on, he said, the respective sales engineers will help introduce the full range of products to customers, with the aim of improving costs and performance.

Hubbard said the Sarlink platform will be a significant part of Teknor's plan to introduce Teknor Apex to the European industry. The deal is synergistic, he said, because Teknor is strong in medical and consumer applications, while Sarlink is well represented in the automotive segment. Together the two companies can access new markets and new customers, he said.

Hubbard said Sarlink's growth strategy fits in well with that of teknor. In each case, the company generates new business by working with clients to deliver a better cost/performance balance through improved technology.