Brussels, January 21, 2003 – Following the September announcement about the ongoing rationalisation and restructuring of Basell’s distribution network in Europe, further steps involving France, the UK, Ireland, Italy and Nordic countries are being announced today.
"The latest changes make important further progress towards our overall objective of a European network of partners providing customers with a consistently high standard of service," said Freddy Van Hauwermeiren, Vice President Distributors PP/PE Europe.
Lars Adler, who coordinates distributor sales for Advanced Polyolefins in Europe, added, "Our arrangements with distribution partners across Europe allow us to manage small order quantities and to meet differentiated customer needs for our range of APO products."
Precise details will be communicated to customers affected, but the main features of the latest changes are:
- In France, Chimidis, under new owner Ultrapolymers group, will continue to distribute Basell PP and PE products. However, PP Compounds, formerly with Chimidis, will be distributed by KDF France, a new affiliate of K.D.Feddersen GmbH & Co.
- In the UK, Ultrapolymers will distribute all Basell products. Timing of the introduction of the new distributor will be phased in to ensure a smooth transition for customers of Basell products. In addition to Ultrapolymers, during the first half of 2003 Distrupol will continue to distribute Basell PP, Catalloy process resins, and PB-1; for PP Compounds, the transition will be made during the second half of 2003.
- In Ireland, Distrupol will remain Basell’s exclusive distributor until 30-June-2003, when transition to Ultrapolymers will begin. From January 1, 2004, Ultrapolymers will be Basell’s Irish distributor for all products.
- In Italy, Comital is the exclusive distributor for PE, and distribution of PP has been rationalised regionally with Comital, Cortiplast, and the Arcomax Group. There is no change to distribution of Basell APO products.
- For the Nordic countries, Distrupol will continue to be a Basell distributor during 2003. For PP and PE, Ultrapolymers and Albis will also be distributors for Basell.
For the rest of Europe, the distribution network remains unchanged.
Basell develops, produces and markets polypropylene, polyethylene, advanced polyolefin materials and polyolefin catalysts, and also develops and licenses polyolefin processes. Basell's corporate centre is located in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; the company has regional offices in Wilmington, Delaware. USA; Brussels, Belgium; Mainz, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Hong Kong, as well as manufacturing facilities and sales offices in the major markets around the globe. Basell’s Internet address is www.basell.com.
For additional information contact:
--Isabelle Trocherie of Basell’s Corporate Communications Department at +33 6 80 47 80 23 or isabelle.trocherie@basell.com
--Freddy Van Hauwermeiren at +322 715 8116 or freddy.vanhauwermeiren@basell.com
--Lars Adler at +49 6131 207 269 or lars.adler@basell.com
Catalloy is a trademark owned by Basell.
