01.01.07
Location: Linz, Austria
Sales: $100 million
Description: Key Personnel
Andreas Matje, CEO; Michel Haudrechy, VP marketing and sales; Frank ten Oever, VP human resources
Plants
Linz, Austria; Bezons, France; Almelo, The Netherlands
ISO Status
ISO 9001:2000
Processes
Spunbond, needlepunch and hydroentanglement
Brand Names
TenCate Polyfelt, TenCate Bidim (geotextiles and geocomposites), TenCate Geolon, TenCate Nicolon, TenCate Geotube Systems
Major Market
Geosynthetics
Formerly known as Polyfelt until its sale in 2005 to Netherlands-based Royal TenCate, TenCate Geosynthetics Europe checks in this year at number 30, boasting ongoing growth in both sales and profit margins. “We are proud that sales in 2006 were significantly higher than in past years,” reported Andreas Matje, managing director. “All the regions we serve—Europe, the Near and Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Africa—contributed to this positive development. This trend is ongoing in 2007 as well.”
The Austrian company continues to hold tight to its leading position in European civil engineering and construction markets despite high levels of competition in Europe and constantly increasing raw material prices. The good news is that a positive trend in the construction industry in general supported the company’s growth. “We were able to manage to increase sales and profit figures in 2006 and this trend will remain valid for 2007 as well,” Mr. Matje predicted.
With currently installed spunbond capacity in Europe amounting to 30,000 tons, just under one-third (30%) of this is hydroentangled while the rest is needlepunched. Leading export markets are within the European Union, including the new EU candidates. Regions such as CIS, the Near and Middle East as well as other Eastern European countries are gaining importance for the company. “This is based on the fact that their economies are improving and many important infrastructure projects are either under construction or in the decision phase,” said Mr. Matje. “Our export ratio is, therefore, still growing.”
In terms of strategy, profitable growth is the overall target of TenCate Geosynthetics Europe. This growth is expected to come from export activities in combination with market development and penetration in European core countries. The company expects strong sales growth to result from additional products and a focus on other geosynthetic products. “In this respect,” Mr. Matje added, “capital investments will be needed to both provide the demanded quantities and improve production capabilities to meet market- and customer- specific requirements.”
Under its new ownership, a key goal for the company continues to be offering not only products but solutions and services to differentiate itself from the competition. “The synergies within our textile-based group strengthen our ability to further improve our position and our offerings,” Mr. Matje explained.
Looking forward, the company predicts that consolidation in the industry will continue. “This trend is predominantly driven by the fact that bigger companies such as TenCate Geosynthetics Europe are able to offer better service and product quality on a constant basis compared to smaller competitors,” he opined. The company’s primary strategy for the future is to strengthen its competitive situation by improving its product portfolio. TenCate Geosynthetics Europe sees innovation and expansion as the means to that end. “To grow our business, the main focus will be on interesting geographical opportunities and on products offering additional benefits to the market such as our Geodetect monitoring system.”
Sales: $100 million
Description: Key Personnel
Andreas Matje, CEO; Michel Haudrechy, VP marketing and sales; Frank ten Oever, VP human resources
Plants
Linz, Austria; Bezons, France; Almelo, The Netherlands
ISO Status
ISO 9001:2000
Processes
Spunbond, needlepunch and hydroentanglement
Brand Names
TenCate Polyfelt, TenCate Bidim (geotextiles and geocomposites), TenCate Geolon, TenCate Nicolon, TenCate Geotube Systems
Major Market
Geosynthetics
Formerly known as Polyfelt until its sale in 2005 to Netherlands-based Royal TenCate, TenCate Geosynthetics Europe checks in this year at number 30, boasting ongoing growth in both sales and profit margins. “We are proud that sales in 2006 were significantly higher than in past years,” reported Andreas Matje, managing director. “All the regions we serve—Europe, the Near and Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Africa—contributed to this positive development. This trend is ongoing in 2007 as well.”
The Austrian company continues to hold tight to its leading position in European civil engineering and construction markets despite high levels of competition in Europe and constantly increasing raw material prices. The good news is that a positive trend in the construction industry in general supported the company’s growth. “We were able to manage to increase sales and profit figures in 2006 and this trend will remain valid for 2007 as well,” Mr. Matje predicted.
With currently installed spunbond capacity in Europe amounting to 30,000 tons, just under one-third (30%) of this is hydroentangled while the rest is needlepunched. Leading export markets are within the European Union, including the new EU candidates. Regions such as CIS, the Near and Middle East as well as other Eastern European countries are gaining importance for the company. “This is based on the fact that their economies are improving and many important infrastructure projects are either under construction or in the decision phase,” said Mr. Matje. “Our export ratio is, therefore, still growing.”
In terms of strategy, profitable growth is the overall target of TenCate Geosynthetics Europe. This growth is expected to come from export activities in combination with market development and penetration in European core countries. The company expects strong sales growth to result from additional products and a focus on other geosynthetic products. “In this respect,” Mr. Matje added, “capital investments will be needed to both provide the demanded quantities and improve production capabilities to meet market- and customer- specific requirements.”
Under its new ownership, a key goal for the company continues to be offering not only products but solutions and services to differentiate itself from the competition. “The synergies within our textile-based group strengthen our ability to further improve our position and our offerings,” Mr. Matje explained.
Looking forward, the company predicts that consolidation in the industry will continue. “This trend is predominantly driven by the fact that bigger companies such as TenCate Geosynthetics Europe are able to offer better service and product quality on a constant basis compared to smaller competitors,” he opined. The company’s primary strategy for the future is to strengthen its competitive situation by improving its product portfolio. TenCate Geosynthetics Europe sees innovation and expansion as the means to that end. “To grow our business, the main focus will be on interesting geographical opportunities and on products offering additional benefits to the market such as our Geodetect monitoring system.”