Page 46 - HW June 2019

global eyes
OBI pilots store of
future?
A remake of the OBI Markt store in Cologne-Marsdorf is being noticed for changes that may presage innovations at the brand’s other stores across Europe.
With retail space designed to be more open, brighter and more transparent, the outlet to the west of Cologne is showing an outdoor test area for high-pressure cleaners and another for garden tools like lawnmowers.
In addition, there is a “workshop” where customers can practice drilling, screwing, grinding or painting.
If successful, more of the same is being predicted to appear across various locations and markets.
www.obi.de
International movers
& shakers
The Home Depot – News came in April from the big orange sheds that Carol Tormé, long time CFO and Executive Vice President of Corporate Services,
is to retire after 24 years
with the company, the
last 18 as CFO. She will be
succeeded by Richard
McPhail, current Senior Vice President of Finance Control & Administration.
www.homedepot.com
Travis Perkins – is to get
a new CEO with John
Carter stepping down as
CEO and from the board
in August. He will be
succeeded as CEO by Nick
Roberts, currently CEO of engineering consultancy Atkins. John Carter has been with Travis Perkins for 40+ years, including 18 years as a director and the last five years as CEO.
www.travisperkins.co.uk
Japan’s Nippon Paint set to acquire DuluxGroup
IN APRIL, IT was announced that Osaka’s Nippon Paint had sought to acquire Victoria-based DuluxGroup comprising such well-known Australasian brands as Dulux, Selleys and sub-brands, Cabot’s, British Paints, Porter’s, Berger, Yates & Watkins, Parchem and Lincoln Sentry.
The bid from arguably Asia’s largest paint maker has been approved by the DuluxGroup board but will need to go to
a shareholder vote in July-August, with likely implementation of the deal as early as August this year.
Both parties take pains to emphasise there will be “no changes to DuluxGroup leadership, business portfolio, manufacturing and operations” and that DuluxGroup will be run as a separate division and will retain the DuluxGroup name.
“DuluxGroup will still be DuluxGroup,” says DuluxGroup, adding that, with Nippon Paint essentially having no ANZ operations, the acquisition represents “increased opportunity for DuluxGroup to pursue
its growth ambitions, leveraging Nippon’s globalscaleandresources”.
DuluxGroup Chairman, Graeme Liebelt, says of the proposed deal: “Nippon has been extremely complimentary of DuluxGroup’s team, capability, high quality businesses and track record of performance, all of which they want to maintain.
“I have confidence that this new partnership will provide strong benefits for both companies.”
Director and CEO of DuluxGroup, Patrick Houlihan, says: “We are proud of the successes we have achieved as an independent company since listing on the
Australian Securities Exchange in 2010 following our demerger from Orica Limited.
“The proposed transaction is an endorsement of the exceptional company that our people have built over a number of years.
“Nippon is a global leader in the paints and coatings sector and we are confident that Nippon will continue to support
the ongoing success of DuluxGroup’s businesses and brands, and that this will create significant opportunities for our staff, customers and strategic partners.
“I am personally excited by the opportunities that we can explore together as we continue to grow all of our ANZ businesses and accelerate our growth ambitions offshore.”
Nippon Paint’s President & CEO, Tetsushi Tado, adds: “We are excited by the prospect of welcoming DuluxGroup into the Nippon Group.
“Patrick and his team have built DuluxGroup into the pre-eminent provider of housing improvement products in Australia and New Zealand with market- leadingandiconicbrandsoperatingfrom world-class manufacturing facilities.
“The combination of DuluxGroup and Nippon will provide further avenues of growth for DuluxGroup and create exciting opportunities for all of the DuluxGroup management team and employees.
“Nippon intends to maintain the legacy developed by DuluxGroup and facilitate DuluxGroup’s existing vision by leveraging the resources of the broader Nippon platform.”
www.duluxgroup.com.au www.nipponpaint.com
44 NZHJ | JUNE 2019
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