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Wendel
67.5
(1) as of December 31, 2018.
A global group with a strong presence in emerging economies
Stahl is the market leader in process chemicals for leather products; next to this, Stahl produces polymers and performance coatings for a variety of substrates such as textile, paper, plastics, rubber, metal and wood. Stahl offers a wide range of solutions to the automotive, shoe, apparel & accessories and home interior sectors, and for industrial applications.
Key figures
2018 Sales
€866.9m
Present in
24 countries
Amount invested by Wendel
€221m since 2006 (2)
Employees (including more than 600 experts sales staff)
c. 2,000
Application labs
38
Manufacturing sites
13
Leather chemicals
No.1 worldwide
Wendel's role in corporate governance
5 Board Members
(2) Amount of equity invested by Wendel as of December 31, 2018.
Why did we invest in Stahl?
Stahl is the world leader in specialty chemicals and services for leather surfaces and is developing large market shares in niche applications for high-performance chemical coatings on other substrates. It enjoys high barriers to entry as a result of its expertise, the long-term relationships it maintains with its principal customers, which include major luxury and high-end car brands, as well as the very high level of skills of its “golden hands” technicians. Stahl has prospects for sustained growth generated by global leather consumption markets, in Asia in particular and the development of fast-growing niche markets for high-performance coatings. The potential consolidation in the sector we identified in 2006, combined with rigorous financial discipline, has allowed Stahl to expand further and strengthen its market leadership. It derives 65% of its sales from high growth regions. Since its initial investment of €171 million in Stahl in 2006, Wendel has received €341 million in dividends and loan repayments, owing in particular to Stahl’s very strong cash generation.
At end-2018, Wendel announced the acquisition of 4.8% of the capital of Stahl from Clariant for €50 million, bringing its total investment in the company to €221 million.
Key milestones of the investment
-
06.30.2006
Oranje-Nassau, a subsidiary of WENDEL Investissement, and The Carlyle Group acquire Stahl Holdings B.V. -
03.01.2010
Wendel announces that it holds a 92% stake in Stahl and has completed a successful financial restructuring with unanimous lender -
10.30.2013
Shahl is in exclusive negotiations with Clariant for the acquisition of Clariant’s leather services business -
11.23.2016
Stahl acquires the Eagle Performance Products business -
03.23.2017
BASF Leather Chemicals business to become part of the Stahl Group -
10.02.2017
Stahl completes acquisition of the BASF leather chemicals assets -
01.03.2019
Wendel strengthens its position in Stahl by acquiring 4.8% of the capital from Clariant for €50 million
- Oranje-Nassau, a subsidiary of WENDEL Investissement, and The Carlyle Group acquire Stahl Holdings B.V. - 33.14 KB - PDF
- Wendel announces that it holds a 92% stake in Stahl and has completed a successful financial restructuring with unanimous lender - 68.15 KB - PDF
- Shahl is in exclusive negotiations with Clariant for the acquisition of Clariant’s leather services business - 217.12 KB - PDF
- Stahl acquires the Eagle Performance Products business - 67.73 KB - PDF
- BASF Leather Chemicals business to become part of the Stahl Group - 219.82 KB - PDF
- Stahl completes acquisition of the BASF leather chemicals assets - 201.84 KB - PDF
- Wendel strengthens its position in Stahl by acquiring 4.8% of the capital from Clariant for €50 million - 454.29 KB - PDF
Press releases of Stahl
Outlook for development
Amid a still-volatile global economy, Stahl will continue to target organic growth and increased market share. To do so, it will focus on ongoing product innovation, while stepping up marketing efforts and capitalizing on the positions it has established in high-growth regions (more than 65% of sales). Stahl also intends to continue to develop service–oriented made-to-order solutions to its clients and develop solutions for numerous substrates, in order to expand its scope of business and gain further market share. The Group will continue to capitalize on its strengths, which are its innovation capabilities (innovative environmentally-friendly solutions and customized technologies), its strong position with main clients, exposure to emerging markets and active cost management (strict financial discipline and value-adding investments).
Despite recent difficult performances, Stahl’s businesses continue to be driven by powerful long-term trends. Its markets are gradually shifting to the emerging market countries and increased environmental regulations are beneficial; the company is ahead of legislation and has the only compliant end-to-end solution set for its markets. The trend towards bio-based chemicals continues to develop, Stahl leads in markets with a solid bio-based product portfolio.
“Wendel is a invaluable partner in our efforts to expand our market share.”
Top management
Huub van Beijeren
CEO
Wendel's role in corporate governance
Board of Directors
Claude Ehlinger (Chairman)
Bernard Gautier
Jérôme Michiels
Célia Möller
Félicie Thion de la Chaume
Appointments and Compensation Committee
Bernard Gautier (Chairman)
Félicie Thion de la Chaume
Audit Committee
Claude Ehlinger
Jérôme Michiels (Chairman)
Célia Möller
3 minutes to understand Stahl
