Demand for building profiles across Eastern Europe is prompting a Tessenderlo Group subsidiary to expand capacity in Belgium.
Wymar International NV is investing 1.2 million euros ($1.57 million) in three new Weber extrusion lines for PVC window and door profiles at its plant in Oeselgem, Belgium. The firm also may set up a new profile plant in Eastern Europe within the next three years, according to Wymar Managing Director Camille Langenaken.
The company, which has 20 lines in Oeselgem, has attracted significant business through distribution units in Poland and Hungary. During 2004, Wymar established new distribution channels further east in Romania, the Ukraine and Russia with local partners, according to the Brussels, Belgium-based parent company.
Wymar saw its sales in Eastern Europe increase by around 40 percent in 2004, and expects another 35 percent hike this year, Langenaken said. The company foresees window consumption in Western Europe stabilizing, but Eastern Europe still has substantial growth potential, especially due to refurbishment of older properties.
Other profiles producers in Tessenderlo's plastics converting division include Chelsea Building Products Inc. of Oakmont, Pa., and Dynaplast-Extruco Inc. in Montreal.
Tessenderlo's plastics converting division, which also makes pipe, employs 2,700 and achieved 2003 sales of 523 million euros ($685 million).