PolyOne acquires Gordon Composites and Polystrand

On July 26, PolyOne Corporation announced the acquisition of two specialty businesses from Gordon Holdings. The acquired businesses design and produce innovative, lightweight, high-performance solutions, utilising advanced composite technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities.

Bolstering PolyOne’s existing portfolio of thermoset composite solutions is the acquisition of Gordon Composites, which develops high strength profiles and laminates for use in vertical and crossbow archery, sports and recreation equipment, prosthetics, and office furniture systems.

The second acquired business, Polystrand, operates on the leading edge of continuous reinforced thermoplastic composite technology, a next generation material science that delivers the high strength and lightweight characteristics of composites, further enhanced with the design flexibility to form more complex shapes. Current application usage includes materials for the aerospace, transportation, outdoor and security and protection markets.

Both acquired businesses will join PolyOne’s existing portfolio of complementary solutions in a new comprehensive platform to be called PolyOne Advanced Composites.

“With these acquisitions, we’ve built upon our past success and portfolio of composite solutions to now serve our customers more comprehensively than ever before”, said Craig Nikrant, president, Specialty Engineered Materials, PolyOne Corporation. “We also have now immediately established PolyOne as a leading innovator and producer of continuous reinforced thermoplastic composite technology. We expect this technology to become a platform of the future for companies whose products demand strength and design flexibility”.

The purchase price for both businesses was 85.5 million dollars. The price includes all assets related to the businesses, including intellectual property, trademarks and production assets. PolyOne expects the acquisitions to add 40 million dollars to revenues and be accretive to earnings in 2017.

“Gordon Composites and Polystrand are exceptional businesses that were born and bred through entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and the hard work of dedicated employees over the last 60 plus years”, said Mike Gordon, chairman and president of Gordon Holdings. “We searched for the perfect home as we looked to the future of our businesses - in a global company that shared our passion for customer service. PolyOne was the clear, best choice. It’s a highly-respected company where our aspirations, ideals and innovation can flourish, and we can continue to push the limits of composite material science and its many potential uses”.