The Urethane Blog

Everchem Updates

VOLUME XXI

September 14, 2023

Everchem’s Closers Only Club

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

March 5, 2019

FXI and Innocor to Merge

FXI and Innocor Combine To Create One Of The Most Innovative Foam Solutions Providers

Combined Business Will Serve a Wide Array of Customers
State-of-the-art Research & Development to Accelerate Industry Innovation



MEDIA, Pa. and RED BANK, N.J., March 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — FXI and Innocor, two of the leading producers of polyurethane foam products, today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement that will establish one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the industry. The combined company will offer a complete array of solutions and serve customers across a broad range of end markets—including bedding, furniture, transportation, medical, filtration, acoustics, and industrial. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

FXI is a leading provider of innovative foam solutions driven by consumer insights and state-of-the-art research and development. FXI’s products are used in a variety of end markets including bedding, furniture, transportation, medical, filtration, acoustics, and industrial. The company has 16 manufacturing and distribution facilities with approximately 2,200 employees.

Innocor is a leader in consumer-driven polyurethane foam solutions for finished products in retail, ecommerce and direct-to-consumer segments as well as OEM innovative foam technologies for the sleep, furniture and RV segments. The company has 21 manufacturing and distribution facilities with approximately 1,800 employees.

“This partnership brings together two industry pioneers with complementary capabilities,” said Harold J. Earley, President and Chief Executive Officer of FXI, who will lead the combined company. “We will be able to offer customers an unparalleled service experience through enhanced manufacturing and R&D capabilities—creating one of the broadest ranges of innovative, high-quality polyurethane foam products and solutions—and reduced delivery times by leveraging our expanded footprint.”

“Innocor and FXI are already leaders in product development, customer satisfaction, efficient operating platforms, and in the growth opportunities we offer for employees,” said Bill Redmond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innocor, who will have a seat on the combined company’s Board of Directors. “Together, we will continue to invest in bringing innovative new technologies to customers and consumers that deliver unrivaled comfort and quality across a broad range of products.”

Affiliates of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC (“One Rock“), FXI’s controlling shareholder, and Bain Capital Private Equity, Innocor’s majority owner, will continue to own the combined company.

“We are excited to support the continued growth of FXI through this strategic combination, which we believe will enhance performance and deepen strong customer and supplier relationships,” said Tony W. Lee, Managing Partner of One Rock. One Rock Managing Partner R. Scott Spielvogel added, “Leveraging our significant experience in the chemicals and process industries, we look forward to working alongside the management team to drive operational excellence throughout the combined business.”

“We believe this partnership will enable FXI and Innocor to deliver innovative, high-quality products to a wide array of customers,” said Stephen Thomas, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity. “We are pleased to have helped bolster Innocor’s operational execution and product development capabilities, and are excited to partner with management and One Rock to execute the growth plan.”

The transaction is supported by fully committed debt financing.  It is expected to close during the second half of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Jefferies LLC is serving as M&A advisor, and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal counsel to FXI. Barclays Capital Inc. is serving as M&A advisor, and Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal counsel to Innocor.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fxi-and-innocor-combine-to-create-one-of-the-most-innovative-foam-solutions-providers-300807196.html

March 5, 2019

FXI and Innocor to Merge

FXI and Innocor Combine To Create One Of The Most Innovative Foam Solutions Providers

Combined Business Will Serve a Wide Array of Customers
State-of-the-art Research & Development to Accelerate Industry Innovation



MEDIA, Pa. and RED BANK, N.J., March 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — FXI and Innocor, two of the leading producers of polyurethane foam products, today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement that will establish one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the industry. The combined company will offer a complete array of solutions and serve customers across a broad range of end markets—including bedding, furniture, transportation, medical, filtration, acoustics, and industrial. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

FXI is a leading provider of innovative foam solutions driven by consumer insights and state-of-the-art research and development. FXI’s products are used in a variety of end markets including bedding, furniture, transportation, medical, filtration, acoustics, and industrial. The company has 16 manufacturing and distribution facilities with approximately 2,200 employees.

Innocor is a leader in consumer-driven polyurethane foam solutions for finished products in retail, ecommerce and direct-to-consumer segments as well as OEM innovative foam technologies for the sleep, furniture and RV segments. The company has 21 manufacturing and distribution facilities with approximately 1,800 employees.

“This partnership brings together two industry pioneers with complementary capabilities,” said Harold J. Earley, President and Chief Executive Officer of FXI, who will lead the combined company. “We will be able to offer customers an unparalleled service experience through enhanced manufacturing and R&D capabilities—creating one of the broadest ranges of innovative, high-quality polyurethane foam products and solutions—and reduced delivery times by leveraging our expanded footprint.”

“Innocor and FXI are already leaders in product development, customer satisfaction, efficient operating platforms, and in the growth opportunities we offer for employees,” said Bill Redmond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innocor, who will have a seat on the combined company’s Board of Directors. “Together, we will continue to invest in bringing innovative new technologies to customers and consumers that deliver unrivaled comfort and quality across a broad range of products.”

Affiliates of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC (“One Rock“), FXI’s controlling shareholder, and Bain Capital Private Equity, Innocor’s majority owner, will continue to own the combined company.

“We are excited to support the continued growth of FXI through this strategic combination, which we believe will enhance performance and deepen strong customer and supplier relationships,” said Tony W. Lee, Managing Partner of One Rock. One Rock Managing Partner R. Scott Spielvogel added, “Leveraging our significant experience in the chemicals and process industries, we look forward to working alongside the management team to drive operational excellence throughout the combined business.”

“We believe this partnership will enable FXI and Innocor to deliver innovative, high-quality products to a wide array of customers,” said Stephen Thomas, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity. “We are pleased to have helped bolster Innocor’s operational execution and product development capabilities, and are excited to partner with management and One Rock to execute the growth plan.”

The transaction is supported by fully committed debt financing.  It is expected to close during the second half of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Jefferies LLC is serving as M&A advisor, and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal counsel to FXI. Barclays Capital Inc. is serving as M&A advisor, and Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal counsel to Innocor.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fxi-and-innocor-combine-to-create-one-of-the-most-innovative-foam-solutions-providers-300807196.html

March 5, 2019

New Home Sales

New home sales rose in December as property prices declined

Published
  • March 05 2019, 10:07am EST

Sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in December after a downwardly revised November reading, as lower mortgage rates and more-affordable properties offered some relief for buyers.

New single-family home sales

Single-family home sales increased from the prior month to a 621,000 annualized pace, according to a government report Tuesday that was delayed more than a month by the partial government shutdown. While that’s above the median analyst estimate, the November figure was revised down by 58,000, and October’s reading was also lower than previously reported.

Sales probably got a lift from improved affordability, with the median sales price down 7.2% from a year earlier. The number of homes for sale where construction hadn’t started rose to the highest since 2007, indicating more supply that could hold down prices or push them even lower.

In addition, the housing market is likely getting support from a decline in mortgage rates, as well as a strong job market.

Also, wage gains are outpacing home-price increases by some measures for the first time in several years.

The latest reading is still below the pace in early 2018, and residential investment has been a drag on economic growth for four straight quarters. Previous data showed housing starts dropped to a two-year low in December while existing home sales — which account for the bulk of the market — fell in January to the slowest pace since 2015. The number of properties sold for which construction hadn’t yet started rose to 213,000, the highest since 2017, indicating a steady pipeline of building work.

Purchases of new homes rose in three of four U.S. regions, led by the biggest jump in the Northeast since 2015 and a 5% increase in the South. Sales in the Midwest fell to the lowest since April 2016.

The supply of homes at the current sales rate fell to 6.6 months from 6.7 months. The number of new homes for sale at the end of the month increased to 344,000, the highest since 2008, indicating more-ample supply.

New-home purchases are seen as a timelier barometer of the market, as they’re tabulated when contracts are signed, while sales of previously-owned homes are calculated when contracts close.

https://www.bondbuyer.com/articles/new-home-sales-rose-in-december-as-property-prices-declined?feed=0000015a-fd07-d271-a55f-fdf727ec0000

March 5, 2019

New Home Sales

New home sales rose in December as property prices declined

Published
  • March 05 2019, 10:07am EST

Sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in December after a downwardly revised November reading, as lower mortgage rates and more-affordable properties offered some relief for buyers.

New single-family home sales

Single-family home sales increased from the prior month to a 621,000 annualized pace, according to a government report Tuesday that was delayed more than a month by the partial government shutdown. While that’s above the median analyst estimate, the November figure was revised down by 58,000, and October’s reading was also lower than previously reported.

Sales probably got a lift from improved affordability, with the median sales price down 7.2% from a year earlier. The number of homes for sale where construction hadn’t started rose to the highest since 2007, indicating more supply that could hold down prices or push them even lower.

In addition, the housing market is likely getting support from a decline in mortgage rates, as well as a strong job market.

Also, wage gains are outpacing home-price increases by some measures for the first time in several years.

The latest reading is still below the pace in early 2018, and residential investment has been a drag on economic growth for four straight quarters. Previous data showed housing starts dropped to a two-year low in December while existing home sales — which account for the bulk of the market — fell in January to the slowest pace since 2015. The number of properties sold for which construction hadn’t yet started rose to 213,000, the highest since 2017, indicating a steady pipeline of building work.

Purchases of new homes rose in three of four U.S. regions, led by the biggest jump in the Northeast since 2015 and a 5% increase in the South. Sales in the Midwest fell to the lowest since April 2016.

The supply of homes at the current sales rate fell to 6.6 months from 6.7 months. The number of new homes for sale at the end of the month increased to 344,000, the highest since 2008, indicating more-ample supply.

New-home purchases are seen as a timelier barometer of the market, as they’re tabulated when contracts are signed, while sales of previously-owned homes are calculated when contracts close.

https://www.bondbuyer.com/articles/new-home-sales-rose-in-december-as-property-prices-declined?feed=0000015a-fd07-d271-a55f-fdf727ec0000

Univar Solutions Announces Full Year 2019 Combined Guidance



DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Univar Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) (“Univar Solutions”), a leading global chemical and ingredient solutions provider, today announced revised guidance for full year 2019 reflecting the completed acquisition of Nexeo Solutions, Inc. (“Nexeo”).

“Completing the acquisition of Nexeo is a positive step forward as we redefine chemical and ingredient distribution and deliver superior growth for our partners, people and shareholders,” said David Jukes, Univar Solutions president and chief executive officer.  “As Univar Solutions, we see even greater opportunities to drive efficiencies as we focus on our mission of streamlining, innovating and growing the new company.”

Full Year 2019 Guidance

For the full year 2019, on a combined basis, Univar expects to earn $740 to $760 million in Adjusted EBITDA. This guidance reflects 10 months of earnings from the Nexeo Chemicals business and approximately $10 million in realized synergies. The Company expects to generate $300 to $350 million in free cash flow before one-time integration costs of approximately $70 million.

This guidance excludes the impact of the Nexeo plastics distribution business (“Nexeo Plastics”), which will be accounted for as a discontinued operation. An agreement was previously announced to divest Nexeo Plastics to an affiliate of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC (“One Rock“) in a transaction valued at approximately $640 million, subject to customary closing adjustments.  The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019 with net proceeds being used to immediately pay down debt. The transaction remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/univar-solutions-announces-full-year-2019-combined-guidance-300805723.html