Gazechim, of Béziers, France, is a distributor of plastic materials, liquefied gases and refrigerating fluids. Its Composites division is a long-time distributor for Owens Corning, a producer of glass fibre reinforcements and engineered materials for the composites and building industries headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, USA. The sale will allow Gazechim to expand its presence in Northern and Eastern Europe, and reinforce Owens Corning's ties to a strong pan-European composites distributor. The Owens Corning distribution business currently operates in eight countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK) and Gazechim will now become Owens Corning's exclusive distributor in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Scandinavia and the UK. “With this sale, we believe Owens Corning is now in a position to offer the best distribution customers can expect today and tomorrow, as well as support growth in these countries,” says Arnaud Genis, vice president and managing director of Europe and global fabrics for Owens Corning. “The sale brings to market a powerful combination of our manufacturing base, Gazechim’s distribution expertise, and the wide and deep range of products for open mould, closed mould, pultrusion and filament winding through the distribution business.” “For years, we have developed a distribution model based on a network of regional distribution companies, on strong partnerships with leading producers of raw materials and tools such as Owens Corning and Cray Valley, and on sales teams specialised in the composite industry," adds Jean Guittard, president of Gazechim. "This acquisition allows us to be very close to our customers to understand and anticipate their needs and to offer them the best solutions. The acquisition of the Owens Corning distribution business is extending this model across Europe and will create synergies for the benefit of our customers.”
