24 Sep 2001
Distrupol acquisition strengthens polymer distribution service in Ireland
Distrupol continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading polymer distributors with the recent acquisition of Extrapol, the Irish distributor. The move, which provides a clear indication of the importance the company places on the market, extends Distrupol’s already strong presence in Ireland and will enhance the service provided to customers.
Extrapol, based in Blanchardstown, County Dublin, was established by former Shell Chemicals employees two years ago in order to represent products and serve customers previously handled by Shell Chemicals in Ireland, following closure of Shell’s Dublin office. In addition to Shell Chemicals’ PU, Extrapol distributes PVC polymer for Japan's Shin Etsu, EPS for Nova Chemical and TPE's for AlphaGary. The company also holds the distributorship for Basell polyolefins, for which Distrupol acts in the UK.
As a result of the acqusition, Distrupol will merge its Irish team with that of Extrapol and relocate its operations from Lucan, also County Dublin, to the former Extrapol offices in Blanchardstown on 1 October.
"We were planning to relocate our business centre to extend our facilities," says Distrupol Managing Director John O'Neill, “and this development has provided a natural opportunity to do so. Ireland is a special market that needs to be served from a strong local base and with a comprehensive product offering. For example, we are the sole distributor in Ireland for Dupont Engineering Polymers and therefore this acquisition adds a perfect complement to the range of materials we already supply.
“Local market knowledge and the products to satisfy requirements, that is what we are assuring our customers we can deliver,” O'Neill adds.
Distrupol's acquisition underlines the value of business in Ireland, as well as the company's commitment to the major polyolefins supplier Basell by extending the distribution agreement that it already holds in the UK for polypropylene. For Basell the acquisition brings about a rationalisation of its distribution arrangements, simplifying its coverage of the UK and Irish markets.
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Notes for editors
Distrupol moved into Ireland in 1993 through its then parent Ellis & Everard. Its presence was expanded in 1998 with the acquisition of Dublin-based Izan Industries, which had been a leading polymer distributor in the Irish market since 1986.
Distrupol is one of the foremost polymer distributors in Europe where it leads the markets in the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions. A business unit of Royal Vopak, Distrupol is headquartered in Chertsey, United Kingdom and has sales offices and warehousing facilities in Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, as well as the United Kingdom.
Royal Vopak (Koninklijke Vopak N.V.) is a market leader in logistics and distribution services to the chemical and oil industries and end-users of chemicals throughout the world. The company operates a global logistics network of liquid bulk storage terminals, tankers and tank containers, and a North American and European network of distribution warehouses.
