Sika and MBCC – a great fit
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EMEA: Joint expertise for a sustainable waterproofing mortar range for Europe North’s distribution business
The former MBCC factory in Ham, Belgium, was the venue of a product demonstration and training work- shop involving Sika’s Europe North Distribution Managers as well as regional and corporate Waterproofing, Distribution and R&D experts, organized by Haktan Sahin and Carl Knight from EMEA Waterproofing, hosted by Paul Magera, General Manager of Sika Belgium.
The main purpose of the workshop was to discuss the launch of a new range of waterproofing mortars. These products are not only more sustainable but also offer higher performance for the customers. They are cement-reduced or even cement-free, which means they have a lower environmental impact, while featuring improved workability, adhesion, and resistance to water and frost.
The team had the opportunity to learn more about the features and benefits of the new products, as well as the technical and marketing support that Sika provides for the roll-out into the countries. The workshop also allowed for a fruitful exchange of expertise and best practices among the participants, who shared their insights and feedback on the products and the market trends. It also highlighted the benefits of the extended production footprint that Sika gained from the acquisition of the former MBCC plant in Ham, and the joint expertise of the teams that supported the product development and domestication for the production at the plant.
The workshop was a perfect example of how Sika unites experts and works together for successful future growth, launching sustainable solutions for the customers. It also underscored the joint collaboration between R&D experts, Operations, Technical teams, and Sales teams.
"Up to a few years ago, cement free mortars sounded unfeasible, but at Sika, we are eager to go beyond the expected, and our experts made that reality. Our waterproofing mortars are now even more sustainable and providing better performances. With our improved joint production footprint and expertise, we have the great opportunity to best serve our customers with innovative solutions." Zoran Iljadica, Area Manager Europe North
EMEA: Leadership accelerator program for successful integration in Europe East
People & Culture is one of Sika’s strategic pillars, and investing in employees and future leaders through leadership training is a key element. A recent example is the implementation of the “Leadership Accelerator Program (LAP)” for all people managers, developed by Corporate HR/Learning & Development.
In Europe East, the program was used as one of many activities to drive the integration of former MBCC colleagues. A few months after closing the MBCC acquisition, department and team leaders from both Sika and former MBCC were brought together to grow their leadership skills in light of the Leadership Commitment and embrace the Sika Spirit everyday.
"Bringing together the leadership teams of Sika and former MBCC shortly after closing the acquisition to discuss and share values and principles is one of the key factors for a successful integration into Sika. It is also an important way to demonstrate that we are now One Team. During the three sessions with participants from 10 countries, it was very impressive to see how the colleagues exchanged experiences and grew together. Additionally, delivery of the LAP exemplifies our ability to embed the Leadership Commitment – our global leadership values and principles – deep into the local organizations." Thomas Schobinger, Area HR Manager Europe East
EMEA: Germany – the Sika, PCI, Thomsit and Schönox brands are growing together
As of April 1, 2024, Sika has merged and reorganized its distribution business as part of the integration of the MBCC Group in Germany: Sika now offers a combined portfolio of the Sika, PCI, SCHÖNOX and THOMSIT brands to their customers in the distribution business. As a result of the integration of the brands, there will also be a joint sales organization and joint marketing. With this new set-up, Sika is setting the course for further growth over the coming years.
"This represents real added value for our customers, as we will be able to offer them our innovative and sustainable solutions and products from a single source in the future. In this way, we are accelerating the sustainable transformation of the construction industry and supporting our partners in further reducing their carbon footprint. With a powerful and strong joint sales organization, we will achieve further growth for Sika and can ensure significant cross-selling effects." Daniela Schmiedle, General Manager Sika Germany
EMEA: Saudi Arabia – diversifying energy sources and promoting sustainability
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a population of around 35 million, has ambitious plans for the future. Numerous gigaprojects are expected to drive high growth rates in the construction industry over the next few years. The futuristic NEOM development zone alone has already attracted construction contracts worth some USD 30 bn. Other major projects are in the pipeline, and residential construction is also growing dynamically.
Against this background, the first joint Sika/MBCC sales meeting took place. During the meeting, the local team focused on a variety of topics, including market analysis, business development strategies, a sales performance review and the new organizational structure.
"With Sika and the former MBCC now joining forces, we are poised for growth. Cross-selling opportunities with our combined portfolio was an important topic." Ali Hakami, General Manager of Sika Saudi Arabia
Due to a special situation in the ownership structure, Sika in Saudi Arabia only started the official integration in January of this year. However, the sales team was already working to create synergies between all departments. Synergies between two procurement teams have already yielded results. One notable example of synergy was the collaboration between the Sika and ex-MBCC teams working on the NEOM project. “By aligning their market knowledge and reinforcing each other, we were able to capture more business opportunities, resulting in an increase in market share,” says Ali Hakami.
In the Saudi Arabian market landscape, attractive prospects are emerging in the renewable energy sector. This growth is fueled by the government’s proactive measures to diversify energy sources and promote sustainability.
In addition to discussing sales strategies, the meeting also helped build team spirit: “The meeting was like a ‘Day One’ for us,” said Marketing Manager Anzad Batharudeen. The second day of the meeting brought together some 400 employees from across Saudi Arabia, who participated in a variety of team-building activities.
Americas: Dominican Republic – strong technological synergies and cross-selling opportunities
The Dominican Republic is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the Caribbean. The country has a long history of mining and has attracted foreign investment from various large corporations. Sika Dominicana, a leader in concrete solutions, has entered the mining segment in the last two years, supplying epoxy and cementitious grouts for open pit mines. Now, the company is also providing solutions for the first subway tunnel in the country, which is under preparation and production. Thanks to the acquisition of MBCC, strong cross-selling opportunities and technological synergies have been leveraged: Customers can optimize their productive and operational processes in the shotcrete casting cycle, improving efficiency, rebound control, compliance with the compressive strength and ensuring a mixture that creates an adequate safety standard. The company is committed to implementing innovative technologies from both Sika and MBCC to become a strategic partner for this sector. Sika Dominicana now offers consolidation solutions, such as injection resins, repair of damaged shotcrete areas, polypropylene fibers and other value adding solutions.
Americas: Mexico – flooring & roofing regional meeting 2024
Sika’s LATAM Flooring & Roofing Meeting was a great success. For the first time, the event was held at a former MBCC plant in Tlanepantla, State of Mexico, from March 11 to 15. More than 35 colleagues from different countries in the region attended, together with the corporate experts, making the meeting a great forum for discussion, debate, ideas, and above all, great teamwork. The agenda was filled with key topics such as joint cross-selling opportunities and promising market segments such as data centers and new technologies in both markets. Participants also discussed the latest developments in product integration, for example with Sika Ucrete. Hands-on demonstrations of products and systems were also organized. In turn, some countries shared with the Forum their current situation, strengths, challenges, threats, but above all opportunities.
Americas: Sika U.S. – stronger together with new business unit Sika facades
The Sika US Facades business is a division of Sika which offers a comprehensive range of products and systems for exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS) and stucco applications. EIFS and stucco are cladding systems that provide improved thermal insulation, weather resistance, and aesthetic appeal for building facades.
EIFS is a key driver for saving heat loss through the building envelope and facade, which accounts for a great amount of energy consumption in buildings. Sika operates with multiple brands in the Facade business, including Parex®, LaHabra®, and SikaWall® for auxiliary products. The portfolio now has been enhanced by Senergy® from MBCC. These brands cover a wide range of products, such as air/weather barriers, base coats, finishes, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and accessories.
Sika has recently created a new business unit, Sika Facades, to integrate the former Parex/Sika and MBCC teams and to streamline the operations and strategies for the Facade segment. The business is optimizing its production and supply chain footprint to come closer to customers and at the same time enhancing customer and color service processes for a better customer experience. The new business unit is headed by Konrad Wernthaler, Senior Vice President Building Finishing Systems, who previously had management roles within MBCC U.S..
The Sika US Facades business unit is profiting from the joint know-how and expertise of the former Parex/ Sika and MBCC employees, who quickly came together to form one joint team to best serve customers and to deliver high-quality products and systems. The new business unit is also benefiting from the cross-selling opportunities, thereby offering complementary product portfolios from other Sika business units. Moreover, the new business unit is leveraging the R&D and innovation resources of Sika to develop new and improved solutions for the Facade market, focusing on sustainability, performance, and esthetics.
"We are very excited to bring together the best of both worlds from legacy Parex/ Sika and legacy MBCC. With our strong brands, experienced team, and innovative sustainable solutions Sika will become the industry leader in the facades market. We see a huge potential for rapid profitable growth in this segment, driven by a healthy US housing market and the increasing demand for efficient thermal insulation delivered by our EIFS systems." Konrad Wernthaler
Sika recently participated in the Build24 exhibition, organized by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) in Orlando, Florida. The exhibition was a platform for showcasing the latest products, services, and solutions for the wall and ceiling industry, and for bringing together the professionals and experts from across the sector. Sika presented its diverse range of products and systems for EIFS and demonstrated its leadership position. Sika also hosted a variety of in-depth training sessions, networking events, and customer meetings, to share its knowledge and insights.
"We are becoming the true leader in sustainable solutions for the construction industry. With our integrated product portfolio, we have everything at hand to best serve our customers" Carlo Faber, Corporate Market Development Manager Building Finishing
Asia Pacific: Sika showcases offshore innovations at wind power events in Asia
The new and combined Sika/MBCC portfolio opens a new dimension of sustainable solutions for renewable energy. Sika presented its innovative grouting solutions and services at two major wind energy events in Asia: Wind Energy Asia 2024 in Taiwan and Wind Expo 2024 in Japan.
Wind Energy Asia 2024, held on March 6-8 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, was Taiwan’s largest wind energy exhibition. Sika showcased its best-in-class offshore grouting solutions and past reference projects completed in the region. Sika’s offshore grouts are specially formulated to provide high-strength structural stabilization and precision alignment for offshore wind farm foundations. They can withstand the most demanding environments and have been used in several offshore wind projects in Taiwan, China and Japan, including the latest Hai Long project in Taiwan.
Wind Expo 2024, held at the Tokyo Big Sight from February 28 to March 1, was Japan’s largest wind energy exhibition. Sika’s Offshore & Marine Construction team presented its offshore grouting solutions and services to potential customers and partners. Offshore wind power is a key sector for achieving carbon neutrality, and Sika is committed to supporting its growth and development.
Official figures suggest a target of 10 GW of installed capacity by 2030 and a remarkable 30-45 GW by 2040. Sika has delivered more than 40,000 MT of offshore grouts to offshore projects in APAC since 2020, maintaining its position as a strong industry supplier. In addition to innovative grouts for offshore applications, Sika is also strong in the area of onshore wind power installations. The company offers solutions for the onshore wind industry from blade to base and is committed to providing the right technical support for more economical, faster, safer and better results.