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Everchem Updates
VOLUME XXI
September 14, 2023
Everchem’s exclusive Closers Only Club is reserved for only the highest caliber brass-baller salesmen in the chemical industry. Watch the hype video and be introduced to the top of the league: — read more
February 18, 2022
DOJ expands scrutiny of possible supply-chain profiteers
Trucking, warehousing, 3PLs could be in antitrust division’s crosshairs
John Gallagher, Washington Correspondent Follow on Twitter Thursday, February 17, 2022 2 minutes read
Listen to this article 0:00 / 3:32 BeyondWords
The U.S. Department of Justice is now targeting a wider swath of transportation companies that it deems may be using supply chain disruption to gouge customers
The initiative, which DOJ announced Thursday, broadens the scope of the Biden administration’s heightened scrutiny of anticompetitive behavior in various industry segments, including transportation.
“The lingering challenge of supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for criminals to fix prices and overcharge customers,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to collaborate and investigate schemes that violate our antitrust laws and stifle our economic recovery.”
As part of the initiative, DOJ’s Antitrust Division is prioritizing existing investigations where competitors may be exploiting supply chain disruptions for profit and is “undertaking measures to proactively investigate collusion in industries particularly affected” by supply chain disruptions, the agency warned.
“For those who seek to exploit supply chain disruptions for their own illicit gain, the Antitrust Division, along with the FBI, will investigate and prosecute criminal violations of the antitrust laws, including agreements between individuals and businesses to fix prices or wages, rig bids or allocate markets.”
Up to now, DOJ’s stepped-up oversight of anticompetitive behavior in the transportation sector has focused on the maritime industry and railroads, where there has been evidence that the relatively few players have wielded their market power to raise rates.
In July, DOJ and the Federal Maritime Commission signed a first-time agreement to sharpen economic oversight of foreign ocean carriers serving in the U.S. international container trades. The agreement came days after President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at curbing potential anticompetitive behavior among 72 industries, including among ocean carriers and freight railroads.
But Thursday’s announcement should now put companies involved with trucking, warehousing, 3PLs and last-mile delivery on notice as well, according to one trade expert.
“Certainly the focus here is on other elements of the supply chain that haven’t gotten as much attention as ocean carriers and marine terminals but are needed to get cargo to and from inland destinations,” Gerald Morrissey, a partner with the law firm Holland & Knight, told FreightWaves.
“This is really saying that any company in the supply chain, particularly those that are not subject to some form of antitrust immunity [such as ocean carriers and marine terminals] could be in the crosshairs for potential complaints by customers or competitors with this increased focus from DOJ.”
As part of the initiative, the Antitrust Division has formed a working group with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Canadian Competition Bureau, the New Zealand Commerce Commission, and the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority, focusing on collusion in global supply chains.
“The working group is developing and sharing intelligence, utilizing existing international cooperation tools, to detect and combat collusive schemes,” DOJ stated.
February 18, 2022
DOJ expands scrutiny of possible supply-chain profiteers
Trucking, warehousing, 3PLs could be in antitrust division’s crosshairs
John Gallagher, Washington Correspondent Follow on Twitter Thursday, February 17, 2022 2 minutes read
Listen to this article 0:00 / 3:32 BeyondWords
The U.S. Department of Justice is now targeting a wider swath of transportation companies that it deems may be using supply chain disruption to gouge customers
The initiative, which DOJ announced Thursday, broadens the scope of the Biden administration’s heightened scrutiny of anticompetitive behavior in various industry segments, including transportation.
“The lingering challenge of supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for criminals to fix prices and overcharge customers,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to collaborate and investigate schemes that violate our antitrust laws and stifle our economic recovery.”
As part of the initiative, DOJ’s Antitrust Division is prioritizing existing investigations where competitors may be exploiting supply chain disruptions for profit and is “undertaking measures to proactively investigate collusion in industries particularly affected” by supply chain disruptions, the agency warned.
“For those who seek to exploit supply chain disruptions for their own illicit gain, the Antitrust Division, along with the FBI, will investigate and prosecute criminal violations of the antitrust laws, including agreements between individuals and businesses to fix prices or wages, rig bids or allocate markets.”
Up to now, DOJ’s stepped-up oversight of anticompetitive behavior in the transportation sector has focused on the maritime industry and railroads, where there has been evidence that the relatively few players have wielded their market power to raise rates.
In July, DOJ and the Federal Maritime Commission signed a first-time agreement to sharpen economic oversight of foreign ocean carriers serving in the U.S. international container trades. The agreement came days after President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at curbing potential anticompetitive behavior among 72 industries, including among ocean carriers and freight railroads.
But Thursday’s announcement should now put companies involved with trucking, warehousing, 3PLs and last-mile delivery on notice as well, according to one trade expert.
“Certainly the focus here is on other elements of the supply chain that haven’t gotten as much attention as ocean carriers and marine terminals but are needed to get cargo to and from inland destinations,” Gerald Morrissey, a partner with the law firm Holland & Knight, told FreightWaves.
“This is really saying that any company in the supply chain, particularly those that are not subject to some form of antitrust immunity [such as ocean carriers and marine terminals] could be in the crosshairs for potential complaints by customers or competitors with this increased focus from DOJ.”
As part of the initiative, the Antitrust Division has formed a working group with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Canadian Competition Bureau, the New Zealand Commerce Commission, and the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority, focusing on collusion in global supply chains.
“The working group is developing and sharing intelligence, utilizing existing international cooperation tools, to detect and combat collusive schemes,” DOJ stated.
IMCD continues steady growth in LATAM with the acquisition of Quelaris
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (17 February 2022) – IMCD N.V. (“IMCD” or “Company”), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the business and the subsidiaries of Quelaris Internacional S.A. (“Quelaris”), a LATAM regional raw material distributor with offices in Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru.
“Following IMCD’s acquisition of Andes Chemical Corp. nine months ago, the Quelaris acquisition further enhances IMCD’s presence and offering in North LATAM,” said Marcus Jordan, Americas President, IMCD. “The addition of Quelaris further reinforces our approach of creating growth opportunities for our supply and customer partners, and we are delighted to embark on this new adventure with the Quelaris team.”
“IMCD and Quelaris have harmonized business philosophies towards customer, supplier and employee relations,” said Paul Vanhauw, CEO, Quelaris. “This quickly built trust between our companies and by joining together, we significantly strengthen our ability to serve our respective industry partners. We are ready to take on new challenges and to become an instrumental part of IMCD’s winning team.”
The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in March 2022.
About IMCD N.V.
IMCD is a market-leader in the sales, marketing, and distribution of specialty chemicals and ingredients. Its result-driven professionals provide market-focused solutions to suppliers and customers across EMEA, Americas and Asia-Pacific, offering a range of comprehensive product portfolios, including innovative formulations that embrace industry trends.
Listed at Euronext, Amsterdam (IMCD), IMCD realised revenues of EUR 2,775 million in 2020 with nearly 3,300 employees in over 50 countries on 6 continents. IMCD’s dedicated team of technical and commercial experts work in close partnership to tailor best-in-class solutions and provide value through expertise for around 50,000 customers and a diverse range of world class suppliers.
For further information, please visit www.imcdgroup.com.
About Quelaris Internacional S.A.
Established in 1993, by Eng. Jean Van Hauw, Quelaris focuses on service toward customers, suppliers and especially its employees, whose shared values have made possible the company’s success. Quelaris’ motto “enabling the growth of the industry” reflects the commitment it brings to Latin America by offering the best suppliers with the most complete and up-to-date product portfolio, under long-lasting reliable, technical and customer friendly relationship for a thriving and sustainable local industry. Toward its international suppliers, Quelaris, through aligning interests, has been able to become commercially efficient and a reliable channel ensuring long-term relationship and mutual regional success.
Learn more about Quelaris by visiting www.quelaris.com/us/.
IMCD continues steady growth in LATAM with the acquisition of Quelaris
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (17 February 2022) – IMCD N.V. (“IMCD” or “Company”), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the business and the subsidiaries of Quelaris Internacional S.A. (“Quelaris”), a LATAM regional raw material distributor with offices in Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru.
“Following IMCD’s acquisition of Andes Chemical Corp. nine months ago, the Quelaris acquisition further enhances IMCD’s presence and offering in North LATAM,” said Marcus Jordan, Americas President, IMCD. “The addition of Quelaris further reinforces our approach of creating growth opportunities for our supply and customer partners, and we are delighted to embark on this new adventure with the Quelaris team.”
“IMCD and Quelaris have harmonized business philosophies towards customer, supplier and employee relations,” said Paul Vanhauw, CEO, Quelaris. “This quickly built trust between our companies and by joining together, we significantly strengthen our ability to serve our respective industry partners. We are ready to take on new challenges and to become an instrumental part of IMCD’s winning team.”
The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in March 2022.
About IMCD N.V.
IMCD is a market-leader in the sales, marketing, and distribution of specialty chemicals and ingredients. Its result-driven professionals provide market-focused solutions to suppliers and customers across EMEA, Americas and Asia-Pacific, offering a range of comprehensive product portfolios, including innovative formulations that embrace industry trends.
Listed at Euronext, Amsterdam (IMCD), IMCD realised revenues of EUR 2,775 million in 2020 with nearly 3,300 employees in over 50 countries on 6 continents. IMCD’s dedicated team of technical and commercial experts work in close partnership to tailor best-in-class solutions and provide value through expertise for around 50,000 customers and a diverse range of world class suppliers.
For further information, please visit www.imcdgroup.com.
About Quelaris Internacional S.A.
Established in 1993, by Eng. Jean Van Hauw, Quelaris focuses on service toward customers, suppliers and especially its employees, whose shared values have made possible the company’s success. Quelaris’ motto “enabling the growth of the industry” reflects the commitment it brings to Latin America by offering the best suppliers with the most complete and up-to-date product portfolio, under long-lasting reliable, technical and customer friendly relationship for a thriving and sustainable local industry. Toward its international suppliers, Quelaris, through aligning interests, has been able to become commercially efficient and a reliable channel ensuring long-term relationship and mutual regional success.
Learn more about Quelaris by visiting www.quelaris.com/us/.
February 17, 2022
Univar Solutions Named Exclusive Distributor of COIM USA’s Diexter-G™, Isoexter™ and Hydroexter™ for Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants Products
Customers in the United States and Canada can now access an even more robust portfolio of polyester polyols and specialty resins for increased performance and sustainability
News provided by Univar Solutions Inc.
Feb 16, 2022, 16:15 ET
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) (“Univar Solutions” or “the Company”), a global chemical and ingredient distributor and provider of value-added services, today announced its selection as the exclusive distributor of Diexter-G™, Isoexter™ and Hydroexter™ from COIM USA, Inc. in the United States and Canada. COIM’s polyester polyols and specialty resins are used to enhance the properties of coatings, adhesives and sealants (CAS) and will complement Univar Solutions’ existing CAS product lines.
Univar Solutions Named Exclusive Distributor of COIM USA
“We’re excited to enhance our already robust high-performance polyester and polyurethane technologies product line through our new collaboration with COIM. This allows Univar Solutions to be even more valuable to our customers and help solve their toughest challenges, develop more innovative and sustainable products and reduce time to market,” said Chris Fitzgerald, global vice president, CASE, Rubber and Plastic Additives for Univar Solutions. “With this exclusive authorization, we continue to strengthen our product portfolio, expand our ability to meet the needs of customers in the United States and Canada and drive new growth opportunities through higher performing and more innovative and sustainable solutions.”
The versatility, performance and adaptability of Diexter-G, Isoexter and Hydroexter make them well-suited for use in a wide range of applications, from industrial and polyurethane coatings, adhesives, and sealants to resin synthesis and color dispersions. Polyesters are used in CAS applications for mechanical properties, flexibility and impact resistance, adhesion, solvent, oil, fuel and oxidation resistance, abrasion and chip resistance, weatherability and UV resistance.
“This new partnership with Univar Solutions will allow even more customers in the United States and Canada to benefit from COIM’s unique, industry-leading product development, technical support and manufacturing experience in polyester polyol materials,” said Robert Tauchen, vice president, polyurethanes at COIM USA. “We continue to expand our portfolio to address strong market demands for polyol’s, helping enable customers to meet performance, sustainability and profitability challenges in the CAS application space.”
For more information about Univar Solutions’ portfolio of CASE ingredients and specialty chemicals, including technical support and innovation, visit univarsolutions.com/CASE.
About Univar Solutions
Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR) is a leading global commodity and specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world’s leading producers. With the industry’s largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.
About COIM Group
COIM is an Italian multinational founded in 1962, which develops and produces polycondensation (esters) and polyaddition (polyurethane) products and many other specialty chemicals. With 5 production plants and 20 locations on 4 different continents, COIM Group is able to combine local presence with a global approach right around the world. More than 1000 people work every day to achieve the mission of understanding and satisfying customers’ needs, expectations and aspirations. Learn more at https://www.us.coimgroup.com
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