Teknor Apex’s acquisition of Viking Polymers to expands its rigid PVC compounding business

Teknor Apex Company completed the acquisition of Viking Polymers, LLC, a custom compounder with a diversified portfolio of specialty formulations and a particularly extensive involvement in rigid PVC and related materials for building and construction. The amount of the deal was undisclosed. The purchase agreement was with Viking Polymers owner and President John Ammondson, who founded the company in 1994 and will now serve as a consultant to Teknor Apex. Based in Jamestown, NC, U.S.A., Viking Polymers has a nominal annual compounding capacity of 50 million lbs. (23,000 metric tons). The acquired business will be part of the Teknor Apex Vinyl Division, continue to operate in Jamestown, NC, and retain all employees, according to Louis R. Cappucci, Teknor Apex vice president and head of the Vinyl Division. “While most of the business of the Vinyl Division of Teknor Apex has historically centered on flexible compounds, rigid PVC plays an increasingly important role in our continued growth,” said Mr. Cappucci. “The acquisition of Viking Polymers adds substantially to our rigid PVC capabilities and represents a natural extension of our product portfolio into weatherable capstocks, CPVC compounds, and other specialties for the fast-growing building and construction market.” The chief applications for CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) include hot and cold potable water systems and industrial piping. PVC, ASA, acrylic and alloys are custom formulated for applications ranging from house siding, windows, decks, railings, rainwater systems, and fences. “The weatherable compounds that we have developed at Viking Polymers make possible dark and wood-toned colors that withstand prolonged outdoor exposure,” said Mr. Ammondson. “With the growing trend in outdoor living, these compounds offer attractive, low maintenance alternatives to wood in standard building applications.” John Ammondson cited important similarities between Viking Polymers and Teknor Apex: Both companies are privately held with solid reputations, have developed their own proprietary compounding technologies, and are well known for placing a high priority on customer service. At the same time, they differ in ways that hold promise for productive synergy. “The Viking Polymers team is excited at the possibilities opened by joining forces with Teknor Apex,” said Mr. Ammondson. “The extensive Teknor Apex sales force will uncover new business opportunities for the special technologies that we have developed, and the global reach of Teknor Apex will introduce to the world marketplace a range of Viking Polymers products whose application so far has been limited to North America.”