Sika AG, of Baar, Switzerland, has added another Latin American aquisition to its regional expansion campaign, in Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil.

The latest addition will improve logistics for increasing demand in the construction markets, mostly concrete admixtures, waterproofing systems and grouts, the company noted.  “The new plant in Aparecida de Goiâna, in addition to the acquisition of Lwart Química earlier this year, is a further step in our strategic expansion in Brazil initiated in 2012. Sika now operates seven factories in the country,” said Sika CEO Jan Jenisch, at the November announcement of the purchase.

In April 2014, Sika bought Lwart Química Ltda., based in Lençóis Paulista, Sao Paulo State, which reported annual sales of $33 million. The company specializes in waterproofing, and has two noted brands, Lwart Impermeabilizantes, a technical waterproofing, and Ciplak Impermeabilizantes, a  retail product. At the time, Jenisch was quoted saying, “We have plans for new production lines and factories in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico…worth $1.5 billion.”

In August 2013 Sika also purchased AkzoNobel’s building adhesives segment for $318 million, including the latter’s premium segment brands Schönox, Cégécol, Casco, Synteko and EriKeeper.
The acquisition wave has produced bottom line results. Sika’s 2013 annual report indicates that “Latin America posted the strongest growth of all regions in 2013. Year-on-year, sales were 15.1 percent higher, with every country and target market recording increases.”

In 2012, Sika entered the Paraguay market with the acquisition of Inatec SRL, based in the capital of Asunción and reporting annual sales of $7 million. Inatec, founded in 1982, is a local leader in refurbishment, waterproofing and concrete admixtures market.

In 2011, Sika purchased Colauto Adesivos e Massas (Colauto), based in São Paulo, which manufactures adhesives and sealants, along with acoustic damping and structural reinforcement elements for the automotive and transportation industry. Colauto reported sales of $50 million in 2010. Among other Brazilian operations are plants in: Jaboatão dos Guararapes, in Pernambuco State; Cachoeirinha, in Rio Grande State; and Osasco, Sao Paulo State.
In the Latin America region as a whole, Sika lists 43 countries in which it maintains a presence. Sika’s global distribution centers also include one in Panama.

Among major construction projects in Latin America utilizing Sika’s waterproofing products is Mexico City’s $20 billion Tunel Emissor Oriente, a 40-mile long drainage line beneath the city that was expected to be completed by the end of 2014, helping to control flooding in the area.

In early December 2014, Saint-Gobain, based in Courbevoie, France, announced that it planned to acquire the majority shares of Sika held by the Burkard family for $2.8 billion. The purchase would give Saint-Gobain control of 52.4 percent of all voting rights and 16.1 percent of Sika’s share capital.

Sika’s product lines encompass below-ground and mortar waterproofing, flexible membrane systems, liquid applied membranes, joint sealants, waterproof ready-to-use mortars, injection grouts and coatings.