Tarkett, a global leader in flooring and sports surfaces solutions, announced on October 30, 2014 its intention to acquire 100% of Desso, a leading commercial carpets and sport fields company in Europe. Today, the company is pleased to confirm that the acquisition has been completed after approval by the relevant antitrust authority.
"Through the acquisition of Desso, we strengthen our product portfolio in adding high-end carpets and carpet tiles for our European clients. This operation enables us to reinforce our geographical presence in EMEA and allows Tarkett to provide commercial carpet solutions to all customers worldwide, leveraging on the successful acquisition of Tandus in North America in 2012. Desso is a recognized brand for high quality and innovative products and is strongly committed to sustainability. We are very pleased that as of today Desso is part of Tarkett, and we warmly welcome all employees joining our Group", said Michel Giannuzzi, CEO of Tarkett.
Desso, a well-established brand, produces high-end and innovative carpet flooring, mainly for commercial applications (offices, education, hospitality, marine and aviation segments), and is present in the consumer carpet segment in Europe. The company also serves the sports market with artificial turf and a unique reinforced natural grass system (GrassMaster®).
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Desso achieved 202 million euros of sales in 2013, employs approximately 820 people and operates three plants in Europe.
About Tarkett
Tarkett is a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces. With a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, carpet, rubber, wood & laminate, synthetic turf and athletic tracks, the Group serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. With 12,000 employees and 34 production sites, Tarkett sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to sustainable development, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy and promotes circular economy. Tarkett net sales of 2.5 billion euros in 2013 are balanced between Europe, North America and new economies. Tarkett is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A, ticker TKTT, ISIN: FR0004188670) and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid & Small, CAC All-Tradable www.tarkett.com.
About Desso
Desso is a leading global carpets and sport pitches company, active in more than 100 countries. Desso products are supplied to corporate offices, education, healthcare, government, homes and also hotels, cruise liners and airlines. It also produces world leading sports surfaces such as the DESSO GrassMaster®, which has been installed at the home grounds of Champions League sides and at the football 'temple' Wembley. Today, most people spend on average 90% of their time indoors which has led to the company's vision: 'How to make the floor work for our health and wellbeing'. Our mission is to ensure that we develop unique products that deliver a much improved indoor environment that maximizes people's health and wellbeing and ultimately their performance. This is driven by our innovation programme based on the three pillars of Creativity, Functionality and Cradle to Cradle® design. For more information please visit: www.desso.com
Investor Relations Contact
Tarkett - Jacques Bénétreau - jacques.benetreau@tarkett.com
Tarkett - Alexandra Baubigeat Boucheron - alexandra.baubigeatboucheron@tarkett.com
Media Contact
Tarkett Group - Véronique Bouchard Bienaymé - communication@tarkett.com
Brunswick for Tarkett - tarkett@brunswickgroup.com - Tel.: +33 (0) 1 53 96 83 83
Desso - Anette Timmer - atimmer@desso.com - Tel.: +31 (0) 416 684 100
Pressworks for Desso - Dick Haijma - Tel.: +31 (0)617143286
