Group Deceuninck, one of the world’s leading manfacturers of PVC-U window systems and profiles for construction, has announced that its turnover rose by 10 per cent to 172 million euros during the second quarter of 2005, compared with Q2 2004. For the full half year this amounts to an increase of about 6% to 297 million euros.

Thanks to an excellent performance in both the mature markets and the growth markets in Western Europe, Deceuninck succeeded in offsetting a drop in sales in the saturated British and German markets. Among the success stories are France and the Benelux countries, where the zendow window line is being introduced.

The Belgian extrusions giant has also rebuffed rumours that it is for sale following an approach by an investment group last year, which has prompted an evaluation of the business and its strategic options. ‘The family has instructed ING to evaluate the strategic options of the Group with the aim of maintaining the market leading position’, said Ludo Debever, Corporate Communication Director of the Group. ‘All options are open, but selling is the least likely alternative.’

Active in more than 60 countries and with more than 31 subsidiaries, Deceuninck aims to maintain a market share of at least 10% in various regions, one being the UK:

‘The UK as a strategic region is the largest market in Europe, and one of the first we tackled in the mid ‘80s. There’s no reason not to hold on to the largest market in Europe.’ added Mr Debever. ‘As family shareholders we constantly evaluate all strategic options in order to safeguard the future of the company in the interest of the stakeholders – staff, management, shareholders and customers’, says Arnold Deceuninck, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Source

Glass Age