01.01.02
Location: Linz, Austria
Sales: $86 million
Description: Key Personnel
Heinz Bocksrucker, CEO; Norbert Niedermayr, CFO; Wolfgang Aue, group marketing; Roland Konrad, group sales; Philippe Delmas, group research and development manager, Michel Haudrechy, president, Bidim; John Smith, managing director, Polyfelt Asia
Plants
Linz, Austria; Bezons, France, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia, Albury, Australia
ISO Status
ISO 9001
Processes
Spunbond and needlepunch
Brand Names
Polyfelt, Bidim (geotextiles and geocomposites), Polyline, Polymat, Megadrain, Envirofelt, Enviromat, Polyfelt AR, Polyfelt Hydrocomp
Major Markets
Geotextiles and geosynthetics
Polyfelt Ges.m.b.H, Linz, Austria, a leader in the European geotextile and geosynthetic markets, achieved 4.9% sales growth in 2001 and has several capacity expansion plans to further propel itself as a major figure in the geotextile industry. The company’s total nonwovens sales for fiscal 2001 were $85.7 million (E$85 million) up from $81 million in 2000. The increase in sales can be attributed to overall price increases, an improved project fulfillment in Europe and a general sales increase in Asia. Currently about 70% of Polyfelt’s worldwide sales are conducted in Europe. The Australasia region comprises 20% while the remaining 10% is distributed throughout the world. “Having most of the sales coming from Europe does not have a specific advantage, but being a clear market leader tends to pay off,” said Wolfgang Aue, group marketing manager. “Although our sales in Australasia are significantly lower than in Europe, we are in a leading position there too.”
In addition to strong European sales, Polyfelt’s sole focus on geosynthetics and geotextiles offers benefits as well. Among the company’s key strengths is its concentration on one market. Unlike some of its competitors, Polyfelt’s role as a nonwovens producer is secondary to its identity as a geosynthetics supplier.
“Specializing and focusing on customer needs is one of the advantages of only participating in the geosynthetics market,” Mr. Aue said. “We do not see ourselves as part of the global nonwovens industry but as part of the global geosynthetics industry.” The company has seen no need to branch out into other nonwovens end use markets, because of its success in the geosynthetics and geotextiles markets.
Polyfelt currently produces more than 30,000 metric tons of 100% continuous filament needlepunched nonwovens. In July the company doubled its capacity at its Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia facility to reach an output between 8000 and 10,000 tons. Polyfelt also plans to expand capacity at its Linz, Austria facility during the next few years.
In addition to the projected capacity expansions, Polyfelt will benefit from several new products developed for use in the geotextiles and geosynthetics markets. Polyfelt AR is a polypropylene, continuous-filament, needlepunched nonwoven geotextile that can be used for railway construction and incorporates an abrasion-resistant additive and an ultraviolet stabilizer. In a railway track refurbishment, the geotextile can be placed directly under the ballast and prevents ballast and filter blanket pollution. “Polyfelt AR helps maintain the construction elasticity and bearing capacity until the track is completely renewed, so it extends the total life cycle of the construction,” said Mr. Aue.
Polyfelt Hydrocomp is a reinforced filter revetment, or surface treatment, for hydraulic engineering. It is used to provide soil stability under water and prevent erosion on coasts or riverbanks, canals and dams. Hydrocomp consists of a special, high strength filter geotextile. Mr. Aue is hopeful that these new products, along with its capacity expansions, will bring Polyfelt increased sales.
For the future direction of the company, Mr. Aue would like to see improvement in the overall global economy, especially the construction industry. Additionally, Polyfelt’s expansions and new products will help the company better establish itself within the geotextiles market. “The capacity expansions will improve our already dominant market position in geotextiles,” he said. By offering the latest in the geotextile and geosynthetics market, Polyfelt expects to remain on track as the industry leader in Europe.
Sales: $86 million
Description: Key Personnel
Heinz Bocksrucker, CEO; Norbert Niedermayr, CFO; Wolfgang Aue, group marketing; Roland Konrad, group sales; Philippe Delmas, group research and development manager, Michel Haudrechy, president, Bidim; John Smith, managing director, Polyfelt Asia
Plants
Linz, Austria; Bezons, France, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia, Albury, Australia
ISO Status
ISO 9001
Processes
Spunbond and needlepunch
Brand Names
Polyfelt, Bidim (geotextiles and geocomposites), Polyline, Polymat, Megadrain, Envirofelt, Enviromat, Polyfelt AR, Polyfelt Hydrocomp
Major Markets
Geotextiles and geosynthetics
Polyfelt Ges.m.b.H, Linz, Austria, a leader in the European geotextile and geosynthetic markets, achieved 4.9% sales growth in 2001 and has several capacity expansion plans to further propel itself as a major figure in the geotextile industry. The company’s total nonwovens sales for fiscal 2001 were $85.7 million (E$85 million) up from $81 million in 2000. The increase in sales can be attributed to overall price increases, an improved project fulfillment in Europe and a general sales increase in Asia. Currently about 70% of Polyfelt’s worldwide sales are conducted in Europe. The Australasia region comprises 20% while the remaining 10% is distributed throughout the world. “Having most of the sales coming from Europe does not have a specific advantage, but being a clear market leader tends to pay off,” said Wolfgang Aue, group marketing manager. “Although our sales in Australasia are significantly lower than in Europe, we are in a leading position there too.”
In addition to strong European sales, Polyfelt’s sole focus on geosynthetics and geotextiles offers benefits as well. Among the company’s key strengths is its concentration on one market. Unlike some of its competitors, Polyfelt’s role as a nonwovens producer is secondary to its identity as a geosynthetics supplier.
“Specializing and focusing on customer needs is one of the advantages of only participating in the geosynthetics market,” Mr. Aue said. “We do not see ourselves as part of the global nonwovens industry but as part of the global geosynthetics industry.” The company has seen no need to branch out into other nonwovens end use markets, because of its success in the geosynthetics and geotextiles markets.
Polyfelt currently produces more than 30,000 metric tons of 100% continuous filament needlepunched nonwovens. In July the company doubled its capacity at its Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia facility to reach an output between 8000 and 10,000 tons. Polyfelt also plans to expand capacity at its Linz, Austria facility during the next few years.
In addition to the projected capacity expansions, Polyfelt will benefit from several new products developed for use in the geotextiles and geosynthetics markets. Polyfelt AR is a polypropylene, continuous-filament, needlepunched nonwoven geotextile that can be used for railway construction and incorporates an abrasion-resistant additive and an ultraviolet stabilizer. In a railway track refurbishment, the geotextile can be placed directly under the ballast and prevents ballast and filter blanket pollution. “Polyfelt AR helps maintain the construction elasticity and bearing capacity until the track is completely renewed, so it extends the total life cycle of the construction,” said Mr. Aue.
Polyfelt Hydrocomp is a reinforced filter revetment, or surface treatment, for hydraulic engineering. It is used to provide soil stability under water and prevent erosion on coasts or riverbanks, canals and dams. Hydrocomp consists of a special, high strength filter geotextile. Mr. Aue is hopeful that these new products, along with its capacity expansions, will bring Polyfelt increased sales.
For the future direction of the company, Mr. Aue would like to see improvement in the overall global economy, especially the construction industry. Additionally, Polyfelt’s expansions and new products will help the company better establish itself within the geotextiles market. “The capacity expansions will improve our already dominant market position in geotextiles,” he said. By offering the latest in the geotextile and geosynthetics market, Polyfelt expects to remain on track as the industry leader in Europe.