AROOIE, Belgium — March 8, 2016 — Sioen Industries NV, worldwide solution provider in technical textiles, is pleased to announce the takeover of Manifattura Fontana S.p.A., an Italy-based producer of geotextile nonwovens serving the European civil engineering market.
Manifattura Fontana was founded in 1704, and since 1932 has been in the hands of the Fontana family. It is a manufacturer of nonwoven needlefelts located in Valstagna, Vicenza, Italy, close to the Austrian border. It employs approximately 50 people. The company is a strong player in the nonwoven geotextile market, with a solid quality reputation.
The acquisition reinforces Sioen Industries Group’s nonwoven business with an important and promising new application: geotextiles, serving the civil engineering market.
In a first phase, Sioen Industries Group will acquire 90-percent of the shares. Under the terms of the acquisition, Francesco Fontana will remain as managing director. The company will be integrated in the Sioen nonwovens business.
Strategic Course
The acquisition is consistent with the Sioen Group’s strategy, aimed at technology-driven, sustainable and profitable growth
The geotextiles market is driven by the growing global demand for improved infrastructure.
The acquisition also provides the group with improved access to new geographical markets. It brings to Sioen additional know-how in needle felt technology. Since 2001, the group has owned a nonwoven production plant in Liège, Belgium — Sioen Felt & Filtration, formerly known as Nordifa.
Manifattura Fontana brings wide-width 6.7 meter capacity to the group.
It contributes to Sioen Industries Group, being an integrated solutions provider for technical textiles and reinforces its system of vertical integration, where each activity reinforces the other.
It enables the group to realize growth in turnover and margin.
Posted March 9, 2016
Source: Sioen
