IDI Composites Int’l Acquire Menzolit Manufacturing Facilities In France & China

IDI (Industrial Dielectrics Inc) has acquired the former Menzolit Compounds International GmbH manufacturing facilities from German strategic investor, Senata GmbH (formerly All-Finanz).

Menzolit parent Plastal Ab Group was placed into administration in March 09 as a result of a liquidity crisis following the sharp downturn in the automotive industry.

Menzolit is a €150m turnover business producing thermoset bulk moulding compound (BMC) and sheet moulding compound (SMC). Customers include Schneider, Siemens, Audi, Daimler, Ford, Volkswagen and Volvo Trucks. The Menzolit plants that will transfer to IDI are located in Vineuil, France and Shanghai, China.

The acquisition of these facilities makes IDI Composites the largest supplier of thermoset moulding compounds in the world and effectively doubles the company’s manufacturing output.

IDI Composites, with headquarters in Noblesville, Indiana, USA, currently operates facilities in North America, the UK and China. The company manufactures BMC and SMC for use in manufacturing composite products for the automotive, electrical, appliance and energy markets.

The acquisition also means faster turnaround for IDI’s expanding global customer base (due to the relatively short shelf life of BMC and SMC products) and gives the company a solid operational footing in continental Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Orbis provided strategic and financial advice to IDI in support of the deal.

“We’ve always provided the highest quality products to our customers. With the acquisition, we’ve made a world-class commitment to offer our technical expertise to an expanding global marketplace.”
Tom Merrell, President