Schönox GMBH and HPS North America Strengthen Ties

Strategic Partnership Further Solidified Building on Early Successes

Rosendahl, Germany / Florence, AL – February 24, 2015

While still operating as separate companies, Schönox GmbH and HPS North America, Inc. announced a strengthening of their strategic relationship today encompassing a multi-year operating agreement that has the companies working closely to market, distribute, and fully support their subfloor products in the North American marketplace. “We’ve reached our objective of a seamless relationship between the two companies that clearly supports our customers and distribution partners,” explained Thomas Trissl, HPS Principal. “HPS North America is the exclusive importer of Schönox products to the North American marketplace.”

The two companies have worked together since 2011 when HPS began its operations to make Schönox products available to the flooring industry throughout North America. “Our relationship and operations have quickly strengthened over the past four years with significant growth in the Schönox brand name and its sales,” commented Hubert Steinberg, Schönox Executive Manager in the US. “That growth has accelerated a number of moves forward even a personal one for me that involved my moving from Germany to Atlanta to support what HPS is doing.”

The early operations of what is now commonly called HPS Schönox in the marketplace have been about developing distribution. “As large as it is, the flooring industry is still built squarely on the strength of relationships and the fundamental performance of products,” remarked Doug Young, HPS Schönox Executive Vice President. “Our distribution partners have put their trust in the Schönox products and us as we work together to grow their businesses and make new solutions available to the industry.”

Schönox provides products to address subfloor challenges ranging from the routine to the critical with a comprehensive product line. “We are excited by the growth and overall business development we have seen in North America with our early efforts,” commented Werner Schwerdt, Schönox GmbH Director of Marketing and Sales. “Together we are developing moisture mitigation systems and adhesive products geared specifically to the needs of specific industries and geographic areas in North America.” Schönox maintains a continuous research and development operation focused on product performance as well as environmental stewardship.

A leader in the building products and technology industry for over 120 years and active in more than 25 countries, Schönox GmbH was purchased by Sika AG in late 2013. The operating agreement between HPS Schönox and Schönox GmbH is not affected by Sika’s ownership of Schönox GmbH. All contractual and operational details of the operating agreement are in place between HPS and Schönox GmbH. Together the companies represent a powerful combination capable of deep product and solutions support for Schönox customers in North America. “These days with HPS Schönox are feeling a lot like an entrepreneurial start-up company, albeit with 100 plus year old companies with formidable balance sheets supporting every move,” commented Trissl. “The opportunities have never been greater.”

About Schönox GmbH
SCHÖNOX GmbH is a subsidiary of SIKA AG and part of the Sika Area Germany. The company develops and manufactures quality products for installing all types of tiles and floor coverings for professional craftsmen. The assortment includes tile adhesives, floor adhesives, grouts, leveling compounds, screeds, primers, and waterproof membranes. SCHÖNOX products are distributed in more than 20 European countries and North America. About 320 employees work at the Rosendahl site in Germany.

About SIKA AG
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and the motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 84 countries around the world and manufactures in over 160 factories. Its more than 16,000 employees generate annual sales of CHF 5.14 billion.