Business consolidation will make Distrupol the leading polymer distributor in Europe’s Nordic region

On 1 October 2001 Vopak Chemical Distribution will consolidate its MBS Plastics business with Distrupol, the polymer distributor it acquired with its takeover of Ellis & Everard earlier this year. Under the name Distrupol AB, this rationalisation will bring together the sales and logistics operations of both companies to provide for greater efficiencies in serving customers’ needs, as well as more effective employment of resources.

Importantly, the integration will create a comprehensive one-stop-shop for processors by linking Distrupol’s strength in the engineering polymers sector, where it represents DuPont, LNP, Solvay, Toray and INEOS Acrylics, and MBS Plastics’ expertise in commodity materials including those of Basell and LG Chemicals. The choice of 1 October for the official integration was to coincide it with the introduction of Distrupol's company-wide ERP system, and with it the provision of further benefits to customers including a new eCommerce package.

In its newly organised form, Distrupol will launch as the number one polymer distributor in the region, which embraces Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Previously, Distrupol and MBS Plastics had occupied second and third place respectively in the market. It will retain its current Distrupol regional headquarters in Borås, Sweden, and consolidate the two companies’ existing sales offices and warehousing operations throughout Scandinavia.

According to Distrupol CEO, Steve Bradbury: “Consolidating our Nordic business is a logical step towards both improving internal operating efficiency and broadening our service to customers.

It is also in line with our strategy to continue strengthening Distrupol’s position in each of the markets it operates. In this instance, by integrating both businesses, Distrupol becomes the polymer distribution leader in Scandinavia. “We have already achieved that leadership position in the UK, Ireland and have a strong position in both the Benelux and France, our intention is to roll out and repeat these successes across Europe.”

Distrupol background

Waldenström & Krogh AB was founded in Sweden in 1994 as a polymer distributor, handling a basket of products from suppliers that included Du Pont and LNP.

In 1997 the company was acquired by Ellis & Everard (E&E), the international distributor of chemicals and polymers, and the company’s name was changed to Distrupol Nordic AB. In the same year E&E also acquired the businesses of the Du Pont distributors for Denmark and Norway. Further expansion came in October of that year when Distrupol opened a sales office in Finland and became a pan-Nordic operation with salesmen, CSRs and warehouses in each of the four countries.

In the intervening years the business continued to grow, by up to 35 percent annually, and in January 2001 it became part of Royal Vopak with that company’s acquisition of Ellis & Everard.