FUCHS acquires VDV Lubricants n.v., expands product portfolio offer for the glass container industry
Germany’s FUCHS Group has acquired VDV Lubricants n.v., effective 1 August 2018, to further strengthen its position in the glass industry. Established in 1998 in Belgium, VDV Lubricants n.v. has carved a niche in the glass industry producing high-quality hot end lubricants with a focus on the future of mold swabbing through the development of its range of automatic swabbing machine lubricants.
This acquisition brings additional specialist technology for the glass container manufacturing industry and follows the acquisition of Batoyle Freedom Group in 2014, a perfect fit for the development of FUCHS’ future strategy in this market.
For the FUCHS Group, acquisitions are targeted to companies with expertise in specialist lubricant technology, which are complementary to FUCHS’ own strengths and where the resources of FUCHS can add value in terms of technology, business development, and global footprint. Established in 1931, the Fuchs Group which is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, has a turnover in excess of EUR 2 billion (USD 2.3 billion), with more than 5,000 employees around the world.
The VDV lubricant portfolio will form part of the current FUCHS LUBRITECH Glass lubricants range and will be incorporated into the “Technical Centre of Excellence for Glass Industry Lubricants” located at FUCHS Lubricants (UK) plc, which is managed as part of the FUCHS LUBRITECH specialist division in the UK.
This center is the hub for new product development, technical support service and the development and control of quality assurance and manufacturing systems and procedures associated with all FUCHS LUBRITECH glass industry products.
Crucially, the center provides specialist technical support services to enhance the global FUCHS LUBRITECH operations. The center manages new product development and aids in the transfer of knowledge and technology to local FUCHS companies around the world.
Francois Breye, currently the managing director of VDV Lubricants, will join the FUCHS LUBRITECH Glass division as business development VP for Western Europe.
“The successful execution of the company’s strategy continues to place FUCHS in a strong position. This acquisition of VDV announced today has enhanced our product offering and capabilities, growing our market-leading position in the glass industry sector,” said Richard Rogers, head of FUCHS UK Specialities Division.
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