01.01.08
(formerly Colbond)
Location: ARNHEM, THE NETHERLANDS
Sales: $195 million
Description: Key Personnel
Jan van Boldrik, CEO; Axel Poscher, Vice President; Bart Austin, President Colbond Inc.; Randy Cook, Director Sales and Marketing Flooring; Harry Verbakel, Director Sales and Marketing Automotive; Rob Noppen, Director Sales and Marketing Construction Industry; Blair Rawes, Director Sales and Marketing Civil Engineering; Joe Luna, Director Sales and Marketing Building and Industrial applications
Plants
Emmen and Arnhem, The Netherlands; Obernburg, Germany; Asheville (NC), USA
ISO Status
Global certification for all plants ISO 9001:2000
Processes
Extruded, spunbond, thermal bonded and specialties
Brand Names
Colback, EasyTuft, Enkamat, Enkadrain, Colbonddrain, Enkagrid, Enka-Spacer, Enka-Vent, EnkaRetain & Drain
Major Markets
Flooring, automotive, construction, civil engineering, building, artificial turf and various industrial applications
The keys to success for Colbond this year have been diversified customer and product portfolios, further improvement of manufacturing efficiencies as well as the successful launch of value-added product innovations. The company’s turnover in 2007 beat expectations, despite a challenging business environment in North America and worldwide volatile raw material prices with an overall upward trend.
Last year Colbond strengthened its position in its core markets for bicomponent Colback nonwovens for flooring (primary backings for tufted carpet tiles, artificial turf, broadloom carpet and walk-off mats), automotive (primary and secondary backings for molded carpets and car mats and support media for filters) and construction (reinforcements for waterproof bituminous roofing membranes and other construction products). In fact, to comply with increasing demand and forecasted further growth of Colback nonwovens in its key markets, Colbond approved a substantial investment to increase the capacity for Colback by 25%.
Colbond’s performance in worldwide civil engineering markets saw improvement in 2007 and Eastern Europe proved to be a high-potential region. Civil engineering product areas include Enkamat and Enkadrain erosion control and drainage mats, Enkagrid soil reinforcement geogrid and Colbonddrain pre-fabricated vertical drains for soil consolidation. “Since 2006, this business has shown double-digit, year-over-year growth,” reported Colbond CEO Jan van Boldrik. Colbond has improved its presence in the worldwide geosynthetics market through additional specialized industry partners and, in preparation for further growth, extra manpower was added to the civil engineering product management and Benelux sales teams early in 2008.
In Asia, Colbond has established a local presence through Chinese sister company Yihua Bonar Yarns & Fabrics Co., Ltd. and has launched versions of its product range developed specifically for the Chinese market. At Domotex Chinafloor in Shanghai, Colbond introduced a local version of its Colturf primary turf backing. “Representation by our local sister company is a major strategic advantage facilitating market penetration through a well-developed distribution network,” said Mr. van Boldrik.
In its building and industry sector, Colbond achieved strong sales in the composites industry, where Enka-Fusion and Enka-Spacer serve as flow media and spacers in resin infusion and PU molding processes. “Due to the housing crisis in North America, our building business faced a number of challenges,” he commented, “but a balanced product portfolio allowed us to reinforce our position in several niche markets.”
Colbond’s building and industry activities in 2007 were also marked by the launch of a sustainable product innovation in the form of Enka-Moss. Special mosses form the core of the new mat and absorb particulate matter from the air. Installed in highway median areas, on green roofs or as noise barriers, the maintenance-free mats not only serve as an efficient alternative to traditional greenery but also provide environmental benefits.
In the automotive sector, Colbond completed a major project early this year to further optimize the performance of Colback Pro. Based on the traditional Colback skin/core composition, the product is designed to meet the high demands made on backings during and after molding of complex car carpet shapes. Colback Pro was specified for a number of new platforms this year and more are in the pipeline for 2009 and beyond.
By way of capital improvements, Colbond had an active year on both sides of the ocean, with sustainability remaining a key focus. “Our manufacturing and technology team is dedicated to keeping our technology base state-of-the-art and securing reliable production of added-value solutions for our diversified customer base,” said Mr. van Boldrik. Examples of major accomplishments in 2007 included a major revamp of one of its spinning lines in Emmen, in the Northern part of the Netherlands. The step formed part of an ongoing program for efficiency improvements and the optimization of yarn quality. “With this revamp, the manufacturing process is even smoother and secures the consistantly high quality of Colback, which customers have valued for more than 40 years now.”
Another major investment was made as part of an overall effort to achieve sustainable manufacturing. “The flooring industry shows an increasing demand for environmentally friendly components, and Colbond aims to support green production,” he noted. To comply with the increasing demand for Colback SMR, a primary backing using 100% recycled polyester derived or produced from post-consumer bottle scrap, the company modified two of its spinning lines to process recycled content. Additionally, a major investment was made to equip the Emmen plant with a new docking station to further optimize the handling of post-consumer recycled polyester.
Asheville, NC is home to another product underpinning Colbond’s commitment to sustainability: EnkaRetain & Drain, a drainage mat providing environmental benefits in production and use. Made of post-industrial polypropylene, EnkaRetain & Drain reduces raw material waste and contributes to environmentally sound manufacturing. Once installed, the product forms the basis for sustainable green roofs, which improve air quality, store rain water and save energy. In 2007, Colbond reaped the first fruits of major efforts made in co-operation with industry partners to promote green roofs in North America.
This year an additional Enkamat line came on stream in Asheville. The new line provides the company with even greater flexibility to respond to changing market demands and is aimed at further improving Colbond’s strategic position in building and industrial and civil markets.
Wrapping up, Mr. van Boldrik said that Colbond plans to continue its strategy of targeted organic growth focusing on long-term industry partnerships, added-value solutions for customers, new products and innovative applications as well as on geographic expansion. In-house technology and the ability to modify products in line with and often even ahead of market demand remains a key factor in Colbond’s strategic approach, while also sustainable manufacturing processes and products continue to play a key role.
Having been incorporated into the Low & Bonar group two years ago, the company sees a good fit with the group’s ambitious growth goals. “Substantial investments made by our parent company prove a long-term commitment and trust in Colbond’s potential.” He added that the degree of co-operation with Low & Bonar Technical Textiles sister companies has been increasing and has materialized synergy potential. “Sharing expertise and best practices has already resulted in a number of major achievements. Product launches outside Colbond’s core markets and the joint exploitation of distribution channels are two prominent examples.”
Location: ARNHEM, THE NETHERLANDS
Sales: $195 million
Description: Key Personnel
Jan van Boldrik, CEO; Axel Poscher, Vice President; Bart Austin, President Colbond Inc.; Randy Cook, Director Sales and Marketing Flooring; Harry Verbakel, Director Sales and Marketing Automotive; Rob Noppen, Director Sales and Marketing Construction Industry; Blair Rawes, Director Sales and Marketing Civil Engineering; Joe Luna, Director Sales and Marketing Building and Industrial applications
Plants
Emmen and Arnhem, The Netherlands; Obernburg, Germany; Asheville (NC), USA
ISO Status
Global certification for all plants ISO 9001:2000
Processes
Extruded, spunbond, thermal bonded and specialties
Brand Names
Colback, EasyTuft, Enkamat, Enkadrain, Colbonddrain, Enkagrid, Enka-Spacer, Enka-Vent, EnkaRetain & Drain
Major Markets
Flooring, automotive, construction, civil engineering, building, artificial turf and various industrial applications
The keys to success for Colbond this year have been diversified customer and product portfolios, further improvement of manufacturing efficiencies as well as the successful launch of value-added product innovations. The company’s turnover in 2007 beat expectations, despite a challenging business environment in North America and worldwide volatile raw material prices with an overall upward trend.
Last year Colbond strengthened its position in its core markets for bicomponent Colback nonwovens for flooring (primary backings for tufted carpet tiles, artificial turf, broadloom carpet and walk-off mats), automotive (primary and secondary backings for molded carpets and car mats and support media for filters) and construction (reinforcements for waterproof bituminous roofing membranes and other construction products). In fact, to comply with increasing demand and forecasted further growth of Colback nonwovens in its key markets, Colbond approved a substantial investment to increase the capacity for Colback by 25%.
Colbond’s performance in worldwide civil engineering markets saw improvement in 2007 and Eastern Europe proved to be a high-potential region. Civil engineering product areas include Enkamat and Enkadrain erosion control and drainage mats, Enkagrid soil reinforcement geogrid and Colbonddrain pre-fabricated vertical drains for soil consolidation. “Since 2006, this business has shown double-digit, year-over-year growth,” reported Colbond CEO Jan van Boldrik. Colbond has improved its presence in the worldwide geosynthetics market through additional specialized industry partners and, in preparation for further growth, extra manpower was added to the civil engineering product management and Benelux sales teams early in 2008.
In Asia, Colbond has established a local presence through Chinese sister company Yihua Bonar Yarns & Fabrics Co., Ltd. and has launched versions of its product range developed specifically for the Chinese market. At Domotex Chinafloor in Shanghai, Colbond introduced a local version of its Colturf primary turf backing. “Representation by our local sister company is a major strategic advantage facilitating market penetration through a well-developed distribution network,” said Mr. van Boldrik.
In its building and industry sector, Colbond achieved strong sales in the composites industry, where Enka-Fusion and Enka-Spacer serve as flow media and spacers in resin infusion and PU molding processes. “Due to the housing crisis in North America, our building business faced a number of challenges,” he commented, “but a balanced product portfolio allowed us to reinforce our position in several niche markets.”
Colbond’s building and industry activities in 2007 were also marked by the launch of a sustainable product innovation in the form of Enka-Moss. Special mosses form the core of the new mat and absorb particulate matter from the air. Installed in highway median areas, on green roofs or as noise barriers, the maintenance-free mats not only serve as an efficient alternative to traditional greenery but also provide environmental benefits.
In the automotive sector, Colbond completed a major project early this year to further optimize the performance of Colback Pro. Based on the traditional Colback skin/core composition, the product is designed to meet the high demands made on backings during and after molding of complex car carpet shapes. Colback Pro was specified for a number of new platforms this year and more are in the pipeline for 2009 and beyond.
By way of capital improvements, Colbond had an active year on both sides of the ocean, with sustainability remaining a key focus. “Our manufacturing and technology team is dedicated to keeping our technology base state-of-the-art and securing reliable production of added-value solutions for our diversified customer base,” said Mr. van Boldrik. Examples of major accomplishments in 2007 included a major revamp of one of its spinning lines in Emmen, in the Northern part of the Netherlands. The step formed part of an ongoing program for efficiency improvements and the optimization of yarn quality. “With this revamp, the manufacturing process is even smoother and secures the consistantly high quality of Colback, which customers have valued for more than 40 years now.”
Another major investment was made as part of an overall effort to achieve sustainable manufacturing. “The flooring industry shows an increasing demand for environmentally friendly components, and Colbond aims to support green production,” he noted. To comply with the increasing demand for Colback SMR, a primary backing using 100% recycled polyester derived or produced from post-consumer bottle scrap, the company modified two of its spinning lines to process recycled content. Additionally, a major investment was made to equip the Emmen plant with a new docking station to further optimize the handling of post-consumer recycled polyester.
Asheville, NC is home to another product underpinning Colbond’s commitment to sustainability: EnkaRetain & Drain, a drainage mat providing environmental benefits in production and use. Made of post-industrial polypropylene, EnkaRetain & Drain reduces raw material waste and contributes to environmentally sound manufacturing. Once installed, the product forms the basis for sustainable green roofs, which improve air quality, store rain water and save energy. In 2007, Colbond reaped the first fruits of major efforts made in co-operation with industry partners to promote green roofs in North America.
This year an additional Enkamat line came on stream in Asheville. The new line provides the company with even greater flexibility to respond to changing market demands and is aimed at further improving Colbond’s strategic position in building and industrial and civil markets.
Wrapping up, Mr. van Boldrik said that Colbond plans to continue its strategy of targeted organic growth focusing on long-term industry partnerships, added-value solutions for customers, new products and innovative applications as well as on geographic expansion. In-house technology and the ability to modify products in line with and often even ahead of market demand remains a key factor in Colbond’s strategic approach, while also sustainable manufacturing processes and products continue to play a key role.
Having been incorporated into the Low & Bonar group two years ago, the company sees a good fit with the group’s ambitious growth goals. “Substantial investments made by our parent company prove a long-term commitment and trust in Colbond’s potential.” He added that the degree of co-operation with Low & Bonar Technical Textiles sister companies has been increasing and has materialized synergy potential. “Sharing expertise and best practices has already resulted in a number of major achievements. Product launches outside Colbond’s core markets and the joint exploitation of distribution channels are two prominent examples.”