ALLIMAND INTERWEB
ALLIMAND INTERWEB
THE ALLIMAND GROUP OFFICIALLY GETS A FOOTHOLD IN THE USA, THANKS TO THE STRATEGIC MERGER AND ACQUISITION OF GLENS FALLS INTERWEB – GFI
A few months ago, the project to acquire a company based in the United States matured…
It’s done! The ALLIMAND Group, a designer and manufacturer of paper and nonwoven machines, has just officially signed the acquisition of GLENS FALLS INTERWEB (GFI), a recognized leader in nonwoven products in the United States. Thanks to its financial base and expertise in the design and building of non-woven paper machines and highly technical processes, the ALLIMAND Group thus consolidates, with the takeover of GFI, its positioning on all nonwoven products on the five continents.
A Strategic Technological Acquisition
“The acquisition of GFI, a company well-known and recognized in the United States as a specialist in high-tech nonwoven products (1), is a development opportunity for ALLIMAND, enabling us to strengthen our technology and know-how on fiberglass or carbon and ceramic veil machines, and therefore reach new customers,” says Franck RETTMEYER, Chairman & CEO of the ALLIMAND Group. This merger is part of the continuity of an order for a nonwoven machine in the United States, delivered in 2016 for a large international group, leader in its market.
A refocusing of activities on nonwoven machines initiated since 2008
2008, marked by the financial crisis, the irreversible development of @ media and communication, the planned slowdown in investment in China and Asia, reinforced the ALLIMAND Group’s decision to refocus on highly value-added paper. In 2010, the investment of a nonwoven pilot machine in the United States enabled ALLIMAND to sign major contracts and complete its portfolio with orders for nonwoven long-fiber machines installed worldwide (Germany, France, Spain, England, United States, China).
The conquest of a new market: the North American continent
Less than 10 miles are currently separating the ALLIMAND Group nonwoven pilot machine from the company GFI INTERWEB, located on the outskirts of the city of Albany, New York State. “This synergy will allow us to conquer new customers and increase the representation of the range of ALLIMAND machines in North America and in Canada,” continues Franck RETTMEYER.
More information: www.allimand.com / www.gfinterweb.com
(1) Non-woven high-tech products: fiberglass materials and sails, carbon fiber webs, ceramic fiber materials, nonwoven synthetic fibers enrich the existing range of ALLIMAND nonwoven products, namely: Liquid filtration (tea bag, coffee pods), car filtration (air, fuel, oil), wipes and hygiene, specialties (overlay, wallpaper, battery separators, high porosity Plug Wrap … etc).
ALLIMAND leading up to the ATIP 2016 conference
ALLIMAND LEADING UP TO THE ATIP 2016 CONFERENCE
PRIOR TO THE 2ND MEETING OF THE PAPER UNION ASSOCIATION ATIP 2016 SHORTLY TAKING PLACE IN GRENOBLE
Interview with Franck RETTMEYER, Chairman & CEO of ALLIMAND, Designer & Manufacturer of paper machines and nonwoven since 1850
Mr. RETTMEYER you are working flat out at the end of this year, with prestigious contracts, particularly the paper machine which will manufacture banknotes for EUROPAFI / BDF … What are your success factors? Is the economic recovery on a global scale or is this level of activity specific to the ALLIMAND Group ?
Franck RETTMEYER : The recovery doesn’t only concern the ALLIMAND group. In 2008 – 2009, we decided to refocus on paper with very high added value. This focus has allowed us to take orders including that of EUROPAFI and complete our portfolio with nonwoven machines built worldwide. This conjunction of elements, driven by a market that invests, and also the strong packaging market, allows us to take orders and turn effectively at “full throttle”.
For next year, your order book looks healthy with the order a new nonwoven machine in Asia, a special paper machine in China, and the delivery of the paper machine for EUROPAFI. So Asia is the Eldorado for paper machine manufacturers ?
Franck RETTMEYER : Firstly, this nonwoven machine in Asia represents a new success for ALLIMAND, and in addition to other paper machine orders taken a few months ago. China is not the Eldorado; on the contrary, the Asian continent has become less and less accessible these last few years. However, the Chinese have a particular demand for machines and highly technical processes, which ALLIMAND can meet.
The new S4 hydraulic headbox – the latest ALLIMAND development.
Your merger-acquisition project in the UNITED STATES is starting to take shape … Can you tell us more and tell us the direct impact it will have on the products you offer, your market and finally in terms of employment in the area…?
Franck RETTMEYER : This project will materialize by the end of the year. It will allow ALLIMAND to strengthen its high-tech machinery and therefore reach new customers through the acquisition of new technologies. Given the slowdown in investments in Asia and China, it was essential to find new markets, and the North American market is particularly appropriate for this type of machine.
We have already delivered a nonwoven machine in the USA this year, to a large international group. This merger and acquisition is a continuation of this order. An appointment will be made by the end of the year, the time to finalize contracts which are complicated to draw up, considering the US laws.
ATIP 2016: What message would you like to get across in the framework of the 2nd meeting of the Paper Union Association, as a captain of industry ? What place can the industry hope to occupy in today’s French economy…?
Franck RETTMEYER : A technical association is always representative of the companies it represents. The ATIP manages to gather together paper makers and manufacturers. We can only encourage them to continue on this path. For a manufacturer like ALLIMAND, it is the opportunity to present its references, its success with its customers and new products. This year we will present our new S4 hydraulic headbox – the latest ALLIMAND development – for which the first commercial success was recorded in Thailand.
This question concerning the place of industry in the French economy is more political. Certainly, until recent years, consumption was favored at the expense of the creation and manufacture of products on French soil.
We need a strong industry, strong agriculture which will also help develop the service sector. To reverse the trend in unemployment and boost investment in France will require more time in a country whose growth is almost zero…
CONGRES ATIP : 8 – 9 November 2016
GRENOBLE – Alpes Congrès