Production and distribution of flooring, wallcovering and finishes global leader Gerflor entered into a binding agreement to acquire floor coverings manufacturer DLW Flooring’s linoleum activities.

Consummation of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and was expected to occur during the course of last month.

The transaction includes the takeover by Gerflor of the manufacturing plant in Delmenhorst, in Germany, as well as a part of the company’s sales force and support functions.

With this transaction, DLW’s linoleum activities will, after the past years of uncertainty, be integrated into the Gerflor SAS group.

The Gerflor SAS group is a global leader in the floor cover- ing industry that has successfully integrated and developed strong brands, such as Taraflex and Mipolam. Gerflor’s global footprint, innovation capabilities and customer support will benefit the DLW brand and operations.

Gerflor and DLW have been cooperating for a long time in France, where Gerflor has been distributing DLW’s linoleum products since 2011.

This acquisition will enable Gerflor to expand its products portfolio in resilient flooring with a remarkably sustainable solution. With these linoleum activities, Gerflor will provide its customers with a range of solutions in some of its key market applications, such as healthcare, education, housing, sport or retail. With this trans- action, Gerflor becomes one of the largest manufacturers of resilient floors in Germany.

Following the agreement, Gerflor SAS CEO Bertrand Chammas has declared that this transaction not only secures DLW’s linoleum activity but, through the support of Gerflor, it provides a new dynamic that will generate long term growth.

“We are very pleased to welcome this historic brand and its experienced teams. Our priority in the coming months is to reassure DLW’s customers, distributors, installers and specifiers so that they continue serenely to develop their business with DLW’s solutions. Through Gerflor’s investments and transformation initiatives, we are confident that we will offer to the market an even more attractive set of products and services.”

With 3 700 employees, 16 manufacturing plants and five research and development centres, Gerflor provides its customers with design-driven, innovative and environment- friendly solutions in more than 100 countries.

Last year, Gerflor achieved a turnover of €860-million, with over 70% of sales in international markets. This performance is supported by a strong presence in multiple market applications (healthcare, housing, education, sport, transport, retail, industry, offices, public buildings and hospitality) and prestigious brands, such as Taraflex, Mipolam, Taralay, Gradus, Romus, SPM, Connor Sports and Sportcourt. Gerflor boasts a portfolio of projects in several African countries across this spectrum of applications.