Hexagon acquires rubber compounding company in USA

Hexagon has, through its business area Hexagon Polymers, entered into an agreement to acquire the American rubber compounding company Gold Key Processing, Ltd.

Gold Key supplies rubber compounds for the automotive, industrial, construction, pharmaceutical and aero-space industries. The capacity of the production facility in Ohio is 35 000 tons per year.

Gold Key’s sales in 2007 are estimated to 75 MUSD. Sales growth in recent years has been in the level of 30 per cent per year. Gold Key is located in Middlefield, Ohio, USA and employs approximately 160 people.

“Gold Key is a perfect fit to the compounding business within Hexagon Polymers. Besides strengthening our position in Americas, Gold Key also brings new product lines, knowledge and competence in new material fields to the business. The Board of Directors of Hexagon has announced its intentions to spin off Polymers. With Gold Key as an integral part of the business, Polymers will be even more attractive as a listed company”, says Ola Rollén, CEO and President of Hexagon AB.

Gold Key will be consolidated as of 1 September 2007 and will immediately contribute to Hexagon’s earnings.