Hempel A/S has signed an agreement to acquire* 65 percent of one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of decorative paint, J.W. Ostendorf (JWO). Following closing of the transaction, JWO becomes part of the worldwide Hempel family, and is thus an evident factor for Hempel’s continuing ambition to grow and for leading participation in the ongoing global consolidation of the industry. Branding-wise JWO becomes ‘A part of Hempel’.

The investment in JWO is a significant reinforcement in Hempel’s third strategic business area – the decorative business. Hempel Group President & CEO Henrik Andersen says:

”Our decorative business is relatively new and has therefore naturally been a bit overshadowed by the company’s two other strategic business areas, Marine and Protective. This is now over. With the investment in JWO, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of decorative paint, we have grown our decorative business significantly and sent a signal that we are ready to do more – in Europe and globally.”

JWO has a unique position in the market as the only private label specialist in Europe. Across 20 European countries and five non-European countries, JWO works to drive forward the development of retail brands.

The company has approximately 750 employees and is located in Coesfeld, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, and in Cestas, France. JWO is the most modern paint manufacturer of Europe. The production is highly automated, environmentally friendly and there is a constant focus on hygiene. JWO is certified by LGA (derived hygiene standards for paint as for the food industry). Among other things, the production is primarily water-based, but JWO also produces solvent-based products.