Ecocat Oy has sold its shares in the company's subsidiary Metpela Oy in Laitila, Finland, to Godarb AB. Kemira's subsidiary Ecocat Oy manufactures catalytic converters at Vihtavuori. Ecocat's subsidiary Metpela engages in the manufacture of exhaust systems. Ecocat will focus more specifically in solutions connected to the use of catalysts in petrol and diesel engines. Metpela ranks among the leading Finnish manufacturers of exhaust pipes. The deal will not effect the Kemira Group's financial result.
Metpela plants in Laitila employ 57 persons. The company's net sales total about EUR 7.0 million. Metpela manufactures exhaust systems for OEM (original equipment manufacture) and spare part sales.
Through its purchase of the Metpela business, Godarb's position as a component supplier to the vehicle industry will strengthen further. " We are a supplier of complete exhaust systems to vehicle manufacturers, including small vehicles and heavy duty vehicles", says Micael Ljungström, the content owner and chairman of the board of Directors of Godarb AB. "Our brand names include e.g. Mefex and Ferrita."
Metpela will continue developing its exhaust pipe business on the current basis.
Ecocat Oy is a subsidiary of the Kemira Group. Ecocat's net sales totalled EUR 34 million in 2002. Excluding Metpela, the company employs 162 people of whom less than one fourth are engaged in chemical R&D of the Oulu laboratory. Ecocat's factory is located in Laukaa, near to Jyväskylä in central Finland. The company has so-called canning units in Italy and India where coated substrates are canned. In addition to production sites in Italy and India, Ecocat has sales offices in Brazil, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and the United States.
For further information please contact
Ecocat Oy, Laukaa, Finland Tel. +358 (0)10 861 717
Reijo Kuvaja, Managing Director
Tel. +358 (0)10 863 5510, GSM +358 (0)500 64 6884
Ferrita Sweden AB
Micael Ljungström, Managing Director
Tel. +46 221 18070, GSM +46 7054 56061