This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Univar adquiere un distribuidor de productos químicos de Valencia

Univar acquires a distributor of chemical products of Valencia

24/04/2006

on April 24, 2006

Univar N.V., world specialist in chemical distribution, has announced that its European Division has acquired 100% of the share capital of the entity JSM Chemicals, S.A., established in the area of Valencia (Spain). During 2005, JSM recorded net sales close to 13 million euros.

JSM is a regional dealer of solvents and inorganic products which enjoy a significant market share in the Levant area. It has modern facilities designed especially for your activity, in Chiva, 30 km from Valencia, in a strategic position to serve industrial customers in a fast-growing economic area. JSM was founded in 1991 by two partners, which joined later three more. Of them, three remain directly active in the business, while the other two will continue to operate as sales agents for Univar.

Univar, with its wide range of products, expects to achieve after the acquisition of JSM, a leading position in the market in the area of Levante, focusing on the industrial area and offering a wider range of generic products and specialty chemicals.

The current direction of JSM has signed contracts with UNIVAR to ensure a transition without solution of continuity, and wishes to continue leading the growth that the company has developed since its inception.

Commenting on the acquisition, Gerard Essink, Regional Director of Univar to Iberia, said: "We are satisfied of the opportunity of incorporate JSM to our business in the Iberian Peninsula." This operation offers Univar excellent growth potential, adding to our range of products the consolidated basis of JSM business and the added advantage of having a plant specifically designed to meet the demands in the industrial area around Valencia, of great economic growth. "The direction of JSM has developed an excellent job since its inception in 1991, providing service to a wide and consolidated portfolio of clients, and we are happy to stay in Univar to continue with its success."

John Phillpotts, Univar Europe President, also commented: "the acquisition of JSM is consistent with our strategy of increasing our market share in Europe, and in particular, expand our presence in existing markets through acquisitions of companies whose activity is oriented towards the customers".