Media Releases 2017

Sika has acquired Emseal Joint Systems, Ltd., a US-based market leader in the development and manufacturing of structural expansion joint products for new construction and refurbishment. With the acquisition, Sika will be able to offer the most comprehensive range of sealing and bonding solutions available in the North American construction market. Emseal generates annual sales of CHF 40 million.

With the establishment of a new national subsidiary in Bangladesh, Sika has reached a further milestone in the implementation of its growth strategy and is now represented in 100 different countries. 23 national subsidiaries have been established over the past five years alone, making it possible to tap into growth potential in new markets. Bangladesh has over 163 million inhabitants and is one of the most populous countries in the world with a flourishing construction industry.

With the opening of a new facility near Houston, Sika is further expanding its presence in the fast-growing US market. The 16-hectare site will be used for manufacturing a comprehensive portfolio of concrete admixtures and mortar products. The facilities will also serve as a strategic business center which will help tap into the enormous growth potential of the construction market in Texas and the southwestern states of the USA.

Sika has agreed to acquire certain assets of Grupo Industrial Alce in Mexico. As a result Sika will extend its range of solutions for roofing and waterproofing customers, and further expand its manufacturing footprint in Mexico to better serve the Mexico City metropolitan area.

The Board of Directors of Sika has decided to set up a new, strong region Americas. The aim is to create a more efficient supply chain and benefit from larger purchasing volumes in the closely intertwined regions of North and Latin America. This change will take effect as of March 1, 2018.

Sika is further expanding its presence in Africa by opening its first facility for concrete admixtures in Cameroon. Following the foundation of the national subsidiary in 2016 to address the developing market potential the latest investment will enhance the local supply chain footprint.

Sika has agreed to acquire Faist ChemTec Group, a leading manufacturer of high-performance engineered, structure-borne acoustic solutions for the automotive industry. Headquartered in Worms, Germany, the company generates annual sales of CHF 190 million and employs 840 people worldwide. The acquisition brings technology and know-how that will accelerate Sika’s growth and drive market penetration via the strong synergies between the two companies. The transaction is subject to clearance by anti-trust authorities.

Sika has started producing high-performance concrete reinforcing fibers for clients in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region at its manufacturing facility in Troisdorf, Germany, where a new production line has been commissioned. Made of a thermoplastic material (polypropylene), the fibers are used to increase the structural strength of concrete in highly demanding applications. With this new production line, Sika is continuing to expand its range of concrete additives and positioning itself as an innovative single-source supplier to the construction industry.

Sika has acquired Butterfield Color, Inc. a US-based market leader in the production of decorative concrete floor products and systems. The acquisition will accelerate Sika’s growth by bringing the most comprehensive range of solutions for concrete contractors in the North American construction market. Butterfield generated sales of CHF 20 million in 2016.

Sika is expanding its presence in Africa and opens a new facility in the Angolan capital, Luanda. In addition to the production of concrete admixtures in an existing factory, mortar products – one of the Sika Group's fastest-growing areas of business – will also be manufactured locally.

▪ Sales growth of 7.9% in local currency (6.8% in CHF) to CHF 4,627.5 million
▪ Growth in all regions
▪ Operating result (EBIT) up 13.2%, net profit 14.9% higher
▪ Growth strategy continues with two more national subsidiaries, four new factories and three acquisitions
▪ Confirmation of 2017 annual targets – annual sales expected to exceed CHF 6 billion for the first time

With the commissioning of a new factory for mortar products and concrete admixtures, Sika has expanded its manufacturing capacity in Pakistan and is responding to the country's construction boom. Demand in the infrastructure and residential construction segments in particular is enormous. With its rapidly growing population of over 200 million, Pakistan is one of the world’s most populous countries.

STRATEGIC TARGETS CONFIRMED; OVER 20 PRODUCTS AND INNOVATIONS PRESENTED.
At the Sika Capital Markets Day in Zurich today, Sika CEO Paul Schuler confirmed the 2020 strategic targets. Heralded by the slogan “From patents to world-class products”, more than 20 products and innovations from all target markets were presented, including products for higher building standards, for 3-D concrete printing and for electric vehicles.

Sika is continuing to expand its presence in Central America and is setting up its 99th national subsidiary in El Salvador. The company will thus be represented by its own sales and distribution organization in the smallest Central American country – which, however, has the highest population density and over 6 million inhabitants.

Sika has agreed to acquire KVK Holding a.s, headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, a leading manufacturer of waterproofing and roofing systems as well as a wide range of mortar products. KVK generated sales of CHF 42 million in 2016. The transaction is subject to clearance by anti-trust authorities.

Sika has acquired ABC Sealants, a leading Turkish-based manufacturer of sealants and adhesives. The acquisition will strengthen Sika’s market position in Turkey and further establish Sika as a comprehensive supplier of solutions for interior finishing applications.

▪ Sales growth of 8.1% (6.7% in CHF) to CHF 2,994.9 million
▪ Growth in all regions
▪ Net profit up 16.0% to CHF 285.7 million
▪ Continuation of the growth strategy with the foundation of a new national subsidiary, opening of three new factories, acquisition of Bitbau Dörr in Austria
▪ Confirmation of annual targets of 6-8% sales growth and disproportionately high growth in profitability

Sika is expanding its product portfolio in Russia with the commissioning of a new production line for PVC membranes at its factory in Lobnya, near Moscow. It will now also manufacture high-performance thermoplastic membranes for waterproofing structures at this location, resulting in significant cost savings and competitive advantages.

Ivo Schädler will assume responsibility for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and will join Sika's Group Management. He succeeds Paul Schuler, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer in May. Both will commence their new roles on July 1, 2017.

Sika is setting up production in Tanzania and is opening a concrete admixtures factory. Sika is the first company to manufacture these products locally. Plans are already being made to add a mortar products manufacturing line. The company’s aim in establishing a local supply chain in the East African state, which has a population of 50 million, is to benefit from planned investments in infrastructure.