Compounder Gendon Polymer Services Inc. is looking to grow its business through a distribution deal with Nexeo Plastics LLC.
Nexeo, based in The Woodlands, Texas, began distributing compounds for Bolton, Ontario-based Gendon in late 2019. The deal includes distribution of Gendon's Genflam, Genfil and GenNex products in the U.S., Mexico and Central America.
Gendon makes compounds based on polyethylene, polypropylene, EVA, EPDM and similar materials, primarily for wire and cable applications. The compounds are used in many industries, including oil and gas, transportation, communications and military shipboards.
Officials added that Gendon's low-smoke, zero-halogen compounds "give superb temperature and flame retardant properties" and offer customers flexibility, advanced technology and tailored solutions.
In a recent phone interview, sales and Marketing Director John Pruett said that the deal with Nexeo will allow Gendon's compounds to be sold into Mexico and Central America for the first time. It's also the first time that Gendon has worked with an outside distributor.
"Most of our business has been east of the Mississippi in the U.S. and Canada, so this will open up new areas for us," he added.
Gendon has seen strong organic demand for its compounds this year, in spite of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Pruett said. The firm was recognized as an essential business in Canada and was allowed to continue operating.
In addition to organic growth in the wire and cable market, Gendon has seen recent growth in building products, Pruett said. The Nexeo deal also will help Gendon grow its business with injection molders, thermoformers and other types of plastics processors, he added.
Gendon was founded in 1993 and is part of Marmon Holdings Inc. of Chicago, an industrial conglomerate that posted sales of $8.1 billion in 2018. Marmon also operates Cable Components Group, a fluoropolymer compounder based in Pawcatuck, Conn.
Marmon is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the Omaha, Neb.-based investment firm led by legendary investor Warren Buffett.
In Bolton, Gendon operates six production lines —including twin-screw extruders — at an 80,000-square-foot location. The site has annual production capacity of about 11 million pounds and employs 20.