DKSH Expands in Europe

ZURICHDKSH Performance Materials, a Swiss market expansion service provider, joined the European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC) to strengthen its position in the European market.

Thomas Sul, vice president of DKSH in Europe, said joining the FECC will help the company network with leading businesses within the industry.

"In view of the increasingly important cross-border aspects in our business development efforts, the FECC is the right platform to tackle regulatory and legislative challenges within the EU," Sul said. "We aim to play an active role in this association in order to support and benefit from the work done by the many committees."

DKSH also plans to start distribution partnerships with DOXA, Nagase, The Wright Group, Dow Corning and Silverhawk. To further strengthen European operations, the company has invested in additional sales personnel in Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, France and Italy.

On the services side, the European Regulatory Affairs Competence Center in Lyon also expanded. A team of regulatory experts offers centralized functions for registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances (REACH), as well as safety, health and environment and quality assurance (including multisite ISO certification, supplier audits and internal audits).

Last year, DKSH acquired the Swiss specialty chemicals distributor Staerkle & Nagler to enhance its position as a pan-European distributor, particularly in the markets of Austria and Switzerland.