The Urethane Blog
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
September 7, 2022
11:45 AM | Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (TPX) | By: SA Editor Clark Schultz, SA News Editor Mattress stocks rallied on Wednesday after channel checks from Wedbush Securities indicated that mattress sales trends were flat to up low-single-digits for late-August through Labor Day at brick-and-mortar locations.
The pace of sales for the highest demand period of the year was noted to be a significant improvement from the low-double-digits declines for the Independence Day selling period and even the Memorial Day selling period.
Analyst Seth Basham: “We estimate year-over-year industry sales declines moderated following a difficult June comparison, going from HSD declines in June to -MSD in July and down low-to-mid single digits during August.”
Of note, high-end demand continues to outpace that of the broader industry and even improved somewhat in late summer as consumers returned from vacations. The trend appears very positive for Tempur-Sealy International (NYSE:TPX) and Sleep Number (SNBR), while the drop in demand for mid-priced bedding options is called a potential negative for Purple Innovation (PRPL).
Elsewhere on Wall Street, Truist Securities also pointed to strong Labor Day weekend sales for the mattress companies.
Shares of Sleep Number (SNBR) jumped 9.99% in late morning trading on Wednesday, while Tempur Sealy International (TPX) showed a 10.55% gain. Purple Innovation (PRPL) rallied 4.89% after the sector check from analysts.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGqQSLWZpgkbSspzpstrnzDLptB
September 7, 2022
11:45 AM | Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (TPX) | By: SA Editor Clark Schultz, SA News Editor Mattress stocks rallied on Wednesday after channel checks from Wedbush Securities indicated that mattress sales trends were flat to up low-single-digits for late-August through Labor Day at brick-and-mortar locations.
The pace of sales for the highest demand period of the year was noted to be a significant improvement from the low-double-digits declines for the Independence Day selling period and even the Memorial Day selling period.
Analyst Seth Basham: “We estimate year-over-year industry sales declines moderated following a difficult June comparison, going from HSD declines in June to -MSD in July and down low-to-mid single digits during August.”
Of note, high-end demand continues to outpace that of the broader industry and even improved somewhat in late summer as consumers returned from vacations. The trend appears very positive for Tempur-Sealy International (NYSE:TPX) and Sleep Number (SNBR), while the drop in demand for mid-priced bedding options is called a potential negative for Purple Innovation (PRPL).
Elsewhere on Wall Street, Truist Securities also pointed to strong Labor Day weekend sales for the mattress companies.
Shares of Sleep Number (SNBR) jumped 9.99% in late morning trading on Wednesday, while Tempur Sealy International (TPX) showed a 10.55% gain. Purple Innovation (PRPL) rallied 4.89% after the sector check from analysts.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGqQSLWZpgkbSspzpstrnzDLptB
September 6, 2022
- 05 September, 2022
- Anna Larionova
Evonik opens new Innovation Hub in Pennsylvania
MOSCOW (MRC) — Evonik, one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies, has opened a new Innovation Hub at its Allentown, Pa., site, said the company.
The Hub consists of several state-of-the-art testing and processing labs as well as a pilot plant. It also features a newly designed collaboration space to support a hybrid and creative work environment. The expansion will create 50 highly paid jobs for scientists, engineers, and lab technicians in the Lehigh Valley region around Allentown.
The Innovation Hub is part of a broader globalization strategy for Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) at the Germany-based company. “We are strengthening regional RD&I hubs in Asia and North America to benefit from innovative ideas outside of Europe and be closer to our customers in those regions,” said Evonik Chief Financial Officer Ute Wolf at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Allentown Innovation Hub. “The new Hub will transform the Allentown site into our premier center for research, business, and innovation in North America.”
By 2030, Evonik aims to invest more than USD3 billion in Next Generation Solutions – products with superior sustainability benefits. Evonik will invest an additional USD700 million in Next Generation Technologies to optimize production processes and infrastructure and avoid CO2 emissions.
North America is an essential growth market for Evonik. The region contributed roughly a quarter (23%) to Evonik’s annual sales in 2021, making it the second-largest revenue source after Europe (EMEA). Evonik has invested several billion dollars in North America since 2017, when the company acquired the specialty additives business of Allentown-based industrial gas producer Air Products.
Evonik currently employs 300 people at the Allentown site, which is close to Philadelphia, New York City, and many premier research institutions.
Evonik’s new High Performance Polymers lab in Allentown allows the processing and testing of plastics for 3D printing, medical implants, or performance foams in airplanes or cars. Another lab enables the formulation and testing of additives for industrial coatings. Allentown’s best-in-class polyurethane spray foam testing and emission chamber helps Evonik customers meet environmental and emission standards.
The Innovation Hub also features a flexible collaboration space to support and enhance a hybrid work environment. The uniquely designed space offers open areas for employees to work onsite without needing individual offices. Employees have access to cutting-edge technology like digital whiteboards or tools for video conferencing.
The continued expansion of the Allentown site underscores Evonik’s commitment to the Lehigh Valley community, which goes beyond creating job opportunities. Evonik has recently donated $100,000 to support the Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) initiative of the Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown’s award-winning science museum. WISE was established as part of the Science Center’s broader commitment to supporting women and girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The donation highlights Evonik’s ongoing support of education and diversity in STEM fields.
We remind, Evonik Coating Additives business expands production capacity in Taiwan. MOSCOW (MRC) — Business line Coating Additives of Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) is expanding production capacity of ACEMATT precipitated matting agents at its Taiwan manufacturing facility. The significant capacity increase will help meet growing demand for matting agents in Asia, with the capacity expansion expected to be completed by the second half of 2023.
https://www.mrchub.com/news/403907-evonik-opens-new-innovation-hub-in-pennsylvania
September 6, 2022
- 05 September, 2022
- Anna Larionova
Evonik opens new Innovation Hub in Pennsylvania
MOSCOW (MRC) — Evonik, one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies, has opened a new Innovation Hub at its Allentown, Pa., site, said the company.
The Hub consists of several state-of-the-art testing and processing labs as well as a pilot plant. It also features a newly designed collaboration space to support a hybrid and creative work environment. The expansion will create 50 highly paid jobs for scientists, engineers, and lab technicians in the Lehigh Valley region around Allentown.
The Innovation Hub is part of a broader globalization strategy for Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) at the Germany-based company. “We are strengthening regional RD&I hubs in Asia and North America to benefit from innovative ideas outside of Europe and be closer to our customers in those regions,” said Evonik Chief Financial Officer Ute Wolf at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Allentown Innovation Hub. “The new Hub will transform the Allentown site into our premier center for research, business, and innovation in North America.”
By 2030, Evonik aims to invest more than USD3 billion in Next Generation Solutions – products with superior sustainability benefits. Evonik will invest an additional USD700 million in Next Generation Technologies to optimize production processes and infrastructure and avoid CO2 emissions.
North America is an essential growth market for Evonik. The region contributed roughly a quarter (23%) to Evonik’s annual sales in 2021, making it the second-largest revenue source after Europe (EMEA). Evonik has invested several billion dollars in North America since 2017, when the company acquired the specialty additives business of Allentown-based industrial gas producer Air Products.
Evonik currently employs 300 people at the Allentown site, which is close to Philadelphia, New York City, and many premier research institutions.
Evonik’s new High Performance Polymers lab in Allentown allows the processing and testing of plastics for 3D printing, medical implants, or performance foams in airplanes or cars. Another lab enables the formulation and testing of additives for industrial coatings. Allentown’s best-in-class polyurethane spray foam testing and emission chamber helps Evonik customers meet environmental and emission standards.
The Innovation Hub also features a flexible collaboration space to support and enhance a hybrid work environment. The uniquely designed space offers open areas for employees to work onsite without needing individual offices. Employees have access to cutting-edge technology like digital whiteboards or tools for video conferencing.
The continued expansion of the Allentown site underscores Evonik’s commitment to the Lehigh Valley community, which goes beyond creating job opportunities. Evonik has recently donated $100,000 to support the Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) initiative of the Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown’s award-winning science museum. WISE was established as part of the Science Center’s broader commitment to supporting women and girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The donation highlights Evonik’s ongoing support of education and diversity in STEM fields.
We remind, Evonik Coating Additives business expands production capacity in Taiwan. MOSCOW (MRC) — Business line Coating Additives of Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) is expanding production capacity of ACEMATT precipitated matting agents at its Taiwan manufacturing facility. The significant capacity increase will help meet growing demand for matting agents in Asia, with the capacity expansion expected to be completed by the second half of 2023.
https://www.mrchub.com/news/403907-evonik-opens-new-innovation-hub-in-pennsylvania
September 6, 2022
Tecum stakes foam fabricator in Derry
By Patty Tascarella – Senior Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times Sep 6, 2022
One of Pittsburgh’s biggest private equity firms has invested in a 39-year-old firm that fabricates custom foam products for multiple industries.
Tecum Capital of Wexford teamed with Valley Ridge Investment Partners to acquire the former Keystone Foam Corp., based in Derry. Tecum and Valley Ridge partnered with Centerfield Capital Partners and Petra Capital Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed but Tecum said its investment was in the middle of its target range of $8 million to $25 million.
The investors’ stake augments the Quinn family, Keystone’s founders and senior management team, in pursuing strategic growth opportunities.
Now known as Keystone Foam PA LLC, the company does not disclose sales. It employs 120 and is led by CEO Brian Quinn and COO Gerald “Jeep” Quinn, sons of the founder. The new money is growth capital for expansion to meet customer demand and to increase product offerings. Keystone’s customized foam solutions serve industry sectors including medical, packaging and furniture. It uses conventional polyurethane, polyethylene, viscoelastic foams, latex and other components
“The infusion of capital will allow us to continue our family’s focus of re-investment into our valued people, our equipment and facilities,” Jeep Quinn said in a prepared statement. “With our third generation of Quinn family members entering the business in leadership roles, the investment of capital creates a wonderful opportunity to build upon our heritage here in western Pennsylvania.”
There are opportunities for add-ons, Stephen Gurgovits Jr., Tecum managing partner, said.
“But for now, there is a nice organic growth opportunity,” he said.
The deal was the seventh platform investment out of Tecum’s $305 million SBIC fund and marked its second local deal. In February, Tecum led a syndicate of investors buying Automotive Systems Warehouse LLC, based in Hampton Township, in an eight-figure transaction.
But it also did transactions in the second half of 2021 from its prior fund, investing in JD Palatine LLC in Wexford and in DelGrosso Foods, near Altoona.
”We always prefer deals closer to home, but I believe our successful track record of working directly with family/founder owned businesses is a primary reason we get local opportunities,” Gurgovits said.
Tecum expects to finish its first full year of operations for the newest SBIC fund, its third, with close to $100 million invested. SBIC, short for Small Business Investment Company, means the U.S. Small Business Administration is matching the money raised up to the SBA’s cap of $175 million. Some 21 banks are investors in the fund.
“We are excited about the excellent start and pace of investment in Fund III so far,” Gurgovits said.
Tecum Capital Partners is Pittsburgh’s fourth-largest private equity firm according to capital under management, which is $750 million. The $28 million it invested in 2021 in local companies was the highest disclosed amount of any private equity or venture capital firm based in the 10-county Pittsburgh metro, according to The List published by the Business Times on April 22. Separate from the SBIC fund, Tecum is also doing deals with family offices.
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Tecum’s team for the Keystone deal consisted of Matt Harnett, Dave Bonvenuto, Paul Oris and Carter Henderson. Clearfield-based CNB Bank provided senior debt financing. McGuireWoods and Jones Day provided legal services to the investor group and CohnReznick LLP provided accounting, tax, and quality of earnings advice. Dinan Capital Advisors represented Keystone as its exclusive financial advisor and Williams Coulson provided legal counsel.
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2022/09/06/tecum-stakes-foam-firm-derry.html
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