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2M Holdings Ltd, group of companies, expands its presence in Germany, acquiring Franken-Kosmetik-Chemiehandel GmbH & Co. KG (Nuremberg, Germany)

 

 

 

 

2M Holdings Ltd (“2M”) is delighted to announce that, following its recent acquisition of Dusseldorf based company CE-O2 GmBH, it has now acquired Franken-Kosmetik-Chemiehandel GmbH & Co. KG (“FrankenChemie”), a privately held, distributor of specialty chemicals, based in Nuremberg, Germany.

Mottie Kessler MBE, Chairman & CEO of 2M said: “2M is seeking opportunities to expand its footprint into mainland Europe. The acquisition of FrankenChemie represents such an event. FrankenChemie’s dedicated and experienced team, the ability to support customers with an application laboratory and just in time deliveries in the right pack size are FrankenChemie’s strengths. 2M will now build on these strengths and invest to provide customers and suppliers an even better offering. We are therefore very excited about this acquisition.”

The market sector focus and product range of FrankenChemie is highly aligned with that of Surfachem ltd, one of 2M’s largest companies which is already present in the UK, Scandinavia, Poland and Brazil. Indeed, the major supplier to FrankenChemie – Evonik Industries AG (“Evonik”) – is also one of Surfachem UK key suppliers. Surfachem’s ability to provide technical support and formulation advice to producers of personal care and hygiene products is one of its strengths.

Joerg Prante, Key Account Manager & Manager Sales Central Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Evonik said: “Having a long history with 2M and Surfachem, we are delighted to see the 2M and FrankenChemie come together.”

With its prime location in Nuremberg and its excellent reputation, FrankenChemie is a perfect fit to support 2M’s continued growth in Europe. The company distributes specialty chemicals, primarily into the Personal Care, Home Care and Food Ingredients sectors, in Germany and other EU counties.

About FrankenChemie

FrankenChemie a privately-owned family company, was established in 1983. The company distributes specialty chemicals, primarily into the Personal Care, Home Care and Food Ingredients sectors, in Germany, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Benelux.

Evonik products distributed by FrankenChemie and Surfachem include:
ABIL®, ANTIL®, AXOL®, Ceramide, COSMOFERM®, HyaCare®, ISOLAN®, LACTIL®, Phytosphingosine, PROTEGIN®, REWOCID®, REWODERM®, REWOMID®, REWOPAL®, REWOPOL®, REWOTERIC®, SK-INFLUX®, SKINMIMICS®, SPHINGOKINE®, SPHINGONY®, TAGAT®, TEGIN®, TEGO®, TEGOLON®, TEGOSOFT® and VARISOFT®.

The company operates from premises in the Nuremberg region of Germany.

About 2M Holdings group of companies:

2M Holdings Ltd (www.2mholdings.com) is a portfolio of strong brand chemical distribution and related chemical services companies of samples management, storage and blending. The group is privately owned and was founded in 2004 by Mottie Kessler MBE, the present Chairman and CEO.

Headquartered in the UK with local presence in Germany, China, Benelux, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia, Brazil, 2M exports to over 90 countries.

2M Holdings Limited includes: Banner Chemicals, Surfachem, MP Storage & Blending, Packed Chlorine, SampleRite UK, SampleRite China, CE-O2 and Stowlin Croftshaw.

2M businesses specialise in solvents, specialty chemicals and surfactants to automotive, precision cleaning, coating, emission reduction, oilfield & refineries, flavours & fragrances, personal care, household & industrial hygiene cleaning and pharmaceuticals industries.

2M also produces: CleanAirBlue™, Pigmentan, MEC-Prime, Perklone™ EXT, Perklone™ D, Perklone™ MD and Triklone™ LE, SamSol, and Packed Chlorine.

Contact information

Please direct all inquiries to 2M Holdings via phone: +44 1928 597 000 or via email to: info@2m-holdings.com

2M Holdings Ltd: Modern Slavery Policy Statement – October 2016

Modern slavery is a crime resulting in an abhorrent abuse of the human rights of vulnerable workers. It can take various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.

The 2M Group has a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all of its business dealings and relationships. 2M Group companies are implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within either its own business or in any of its supply chains, consistent with its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

2M expects the same high standards from all of its staff, suppliers, contractors and other business partners and expects that their suppliers will in turn apply the same standards along their supply chains.

Action Taken/To be Taken

As a group purchasing speciality chemical products from a number of countries around the world, transparency from the manufacturers of these products and subsequent supply chains is vital in our fight against Modern Slavery. It is within these supply chains that there may be a risk of slavery and human trafficking.

2M accepts that it has a responsibility through its own due diligence processes to ensure that employees are not being exploited, are not subjected to poor labour practices, that they are safe and that relevant employment, health and safety and human rights laws and standards are being adhered to, including freedom of movement and communications.

As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk the 2M Group is currently undertaking a review of its procedures to ensure there is no slavery or trafficking in its supply chain and its own business and will ensure that it has in place, employment contracts which make specific reference to the prohibition of Modern Slavery , appropriate and relevant company policies including a Health and Safety and Social Accountability Policy and guidelines to demonstrate its commitment to safe, lawful and ethical standards with its own employees.

2M will ensure that questionnaires are sent to supply chains to ascertain what ethical trading practices are in place. This is to be further developed to include a statement specifically requesting a commitment to anti-slavery and human trafficking.

Where a 2M Group company uses a 3rd party employment agency for overseas employees, they shall ensure employment is not subject to modern slavery and all health and safety and human rights laws and standards are being adhered to.

As we are committed to ensuring the group’s compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 the effect of our procedures will be monitored by way of audit where it is warranted.

Responsibility for the Policy

The 2M Group Compliance Director, David Dalton, will have overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy complies with the Group’s legal and ethical obligations.

Purchasing Departments are responsible for monitoring supply chain compliance with ethical, anti-slavery and human trafficking policies. The Purchasing Director and company senior management are responsible for investigating allegations of modern slavery within the Company’s supply chain.

Training and communication

As part of 2M’s commitment to ensure compliance with their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 the 2M Modern Slavery Policy will be circulated to all staff. Training will also be conducted so that staff are aware of how to identify exploitation and modern slavery and how to report suspected cases.

2M’s zero tolerance approach to modern slavery will also be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and other business partners when entering into new or renewed contracts with them.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year.

Mottie Kessler
Chairman/CEO

Mottie Kessler speaks to The Economist on optimism after Brexit, working through uncertainty and why Britain should embrace the Manufacturing and Chemical Sector

On November 8th  2016, Mottie Kessler, 2M’s Chairman and CEO was invited to be part of The Economists’ Panel on Exporting the UK middle market to the European Union and beyond.

Mottie Kessler, Chairman and CEO of 2M Holdings at The Economist Panel

Mottie Kessler, Chairman and CEO of 2M Holdings at The Economist Panel

The Economist wanted Mottie’s views on how trade would be affected by Brexit. Below is a summary of the interview:

  • How well is your business equipped to deal with uncertainty?

MK: Brexit created uncertainty. However, uncertainty is not new to our business and many others. For example, prior to Brexit over a period of 20 years, the £/$ exchange rate fluctuated from 1:2 to 1: 1.5 and inflation fluctuated even more. When I started my business 12 years ago, interest rates were a different ball game altogether to where we are now.

Being involved in supplying the building blocks essential to everyday life, which are linked to global manufacturing and in many cases impacted by crude oil prices, we are used to uncertainty and fluctuations.

What’s different here is that there are ‘emotional’ feelings attached to Brexit, but from a business position, we remain as flexible as ever – that hasn’t changed.

  • How do you mitigate what still remains ‘unknown’?

MK: The mitigation strategy is nothing new to common practice and common sense in good business practice: Qualified and motivated people, good systems, flexibility, innovation, and a clear understanding of where and how to create added value to customers. Uncertainty and cycles in business are more ‘natural’ than certainty.

  • Is there a difference between the impact on the Chemical Industry and other sectors?

MK: To a degree, one can claim that the Credit Crunch was triggered by complex sub-prime lending models that created no added value, but only extra costs of extra hands in the supply chain which produced no real products. Maybe it’s a healthy awakening for Britain to revive manufacturing.

The first member of our group companies (Samuel Banner & Co) was established in Britain over 150 years ago and we plan to be here for at least 150 years more, that’s why we’ll continue to invest in skills and sites. The demand for our products will continue for as long as people need to keep drinking clean water, showering, taking medication and doing just about everything else required to keep living a healthy and happy life.

L-R: Callum Williams, Britain Economics Correspondent at The Economist; Graham Cartledge, CBE, Chairman, Benoy; Mottie Kessler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 2M Holdings; Rami Ranger, CBE, Chairman, SunMark

L-R: Callum Williams, Britain Economics Correspondent at The Economist; Graham Cartledge, CBE, Chairman, Benoy; Mottie Kessler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 2M Holdings; Rami Ranger, CBE, Chairman, SunMark

2M’s Subsidiary, Surfachem, win International Business of the year 2016

On the 29th of September 2M’s subsidiary, Surfachem were crowned ‘International Business of the year’ by the Yorkshire Asian Business Association’s (YABA). International Business of the year acknowledges the strategy behind expanding into new international markets, sales achieved, new product development, and an innovative approaches to international sales. The award was presented in recognition of Surfachem’s continued development with Asian based suppliers and customers, a goal that is mirrored throughout 2M Holdings.

“On behalf of the Surfachem team I was very proud and honoured to accept this award” said Dr Richard Smith, Managing Director of Surfachem.

The International Business Award was awarded to Surfachem on September 29th 2016

The International Business Award was awarded to Surfachem on September 29th 2016

About Surfachem

Surfachem, a 2M Holdings Ltd Company, are a chemical distributor working in partnership with market-leading manufacturers including Shell, Stepan, Evonik, Lubrizol, PQ Silicas, Gulbrandsen and Givaudan.

They offer an extensive portfolio of speciality chemicals over a broad range of market sectors that includes Personal Care, Home Care, Industrial & Institutional and Pharmaceuticals.

Surfachem have a growing international presence with customers in over 65 countries and teams in the UK, Brazil, Poland, Nordics and Benelux. Surfachem provide exceptional technical formulation & application knowledge and logistic expertise to deliver chemistry for a better life.

2M STEM Graduate nominated for Industry Award

As part of the 2M STEM Outreach programme, Surfachem’s 2M Subsidiary has been supporting Science students and graduates to gain access to a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

We are delighted that one of 2M’s Science graduates, Joseph Gregson, working in the Surfachem subsidiary, has been short-listed for a Yorkshire Chemical Focus (YCF) “Graduate of the Year” Award 2016.

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2M wins award for helping young people access STEM careers

2M is proud to be presented with the ‘Highly Commended’ award by the Chemical Business Association for the ‘Community Interaction Awards’ at the 2016 Annual Ceremony.

The commendation was given for our efforts to help young people access Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers.

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A message from Mottie Kessler, Chairman and CEO of 2M Holdings about the UK’s vote to leave the EU

24 June 2016, London

 

Dear Customers, Suppliers and Colleagues,

While the UK has chosen to leave the European Union, we at 2M Holdings, an international group headquartered in the UK, will continue with Business as Usual.

We are running a business which provides added value to our customers and suppliers. Our business is science based, successful, sustainable, ethical and provides equal opportunities to all.

We will continue to serve all our customers and suppliers in the same way and to collaborate with our partners across the world.

Our job is to supply the building blocks and expertise required to enable everyday life and the demand for our products remains universal.

We will continue to focus on growing our business in the UK and overseas.

 

With kind regards,

 

Mottie Kessler

Chairman and CEO of 2M Holding

2M’s subsidiary, Banner, celebrates Leading Women from the Industry in its 2nd Annual Ladies Polo Day

Polo 7

L-R: Theresa Randall – Kluthe, Emma Bennett, Amy Smith, Rachel Arrowsmith, Nikki Brady, Chloe Chiocchi (Banners)

Friday 20th May saw leading women from the Chemical Industry get together at Chester Race Course for the 2nd Annual Samuel Banner Ladies Polo Day. Companies from the across the UK were represented, in what has become a very popular women’s networking event.

The event was attended by leading industry figures who met to share expertise and celebrate their achievements.

Group HR Director, Liran Maller, who also attended, said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the women in the 2M Group and in the wider industry. This event is a chance to celebrate them and we look forward to this becoming an annual tradition.”

Before the match started, guests were taught the rules of Polo by the host for the day.
Once everyone was up to speed with the rules, it was time for the Semi Finals of the LDF International Polo Tournament to Commence.

Polo 24

L-R: Alex Abraitis – Chemicals Northwest, Stephanie Walker & Bev Boardman – Metalube, Nikki Brady – Banner

Polo 1

At half time Spectators were asked to go onto the pitch and partake in the traditional ritual of divot stomping (stomping down the turf that has been lifted by the ponies hooves)

Polo 4

L-R: Fakhara Jones – Surfachem & Jo Lawler – Samplerite

Polo 25

L-R: Sue Bradley – Banner, Phillipa Ayers – Scott Bader, Emma Bennett – Banner

Banner Guests then returned to their seats to enjoy an afternoon of hospitality, networking and Polo

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L-R: Kelly Havey – XPO Logistics & Rachel Arrowsmith – Banner

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L-R: Tracey Redding – Plater Chemicals & Phillipa Ayers – Scott Bader

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L-R: Sarah Jane Taylor – Whitford Plastics , Andrea Goddard – Adshead Ratcliffe , Christine Foulkes – Whitford Plastics

The Day was a huge success with guests enjoying the Polo on what was a beautiful day.