RAMPF Group acquires the Form-In-Place Gasketing Division of Chemque Inc. Comprehensive product portfolio paves the way for the RAMPF market leader-ship whereas a strategic focused approach to growth makes Chemque even stronger

Grafenberg/Wixom/Rexdale  So far, everyone has been keeping it to sealed, but now it is offi-cial: the Form-In-Place Gasketing Division of Chemque Inc. from Rexdale, Ontario, Canada will be integrated on 1st January 2009 into the RAMPF Group. The managing directors of both com-panies have agreed that the combined know-how and the worldwide sales and service network of the RAMPF Group will bring watertight advantages to customers. Details of the transaction are confidential.

Starting January 2009, the RAMPF Group will take over the Form-In-Place Gasketing Division of Chemque Inc. A win-win situation! RAMPF wants to establish market leadership worldwide within the field of foam gaskets. Chemque wants to focus on the Specialty Graphics, Construc-tion and Telecommunications divisions. The addition of the Chemque materials will optimally enhance the comprehensive product portfolio of RAMPF. Thus, FDA and UL-listed systems will now be part of the product line of the RAMPF Group. The European market will be supplied by the German RAMPF Giessharze GmbH & Co. KG. The US subsidiary, RAMPF Group, Inc. (Wixom, Michigan), will service customers in the NAFTA region.

"We approached each other quite openly", commented Michael Rampf, acting partner of the RAMPF Group, about the negotiations. Chemque has a first-class name within the sealing foam and other businesses and is well-known far beyond the borders of North America. Many years of experience and high-quality products, which stand for quality and high technical utility, are now expected to open up new growth potential to RAMPF. Chemque's CEO Alex Botrie knows that the company successful Gasketing Division will continue in good hands: "We are glad to have found such a reliable partner. The worldwide network of the RAMPF Group and the comprehensive know-how, not only in the area of foam gaskets, but also in application technology, are a real advantage to customers of our Gasketing Division. We maintain a very close relationship with our customers. So it was important for us to ensure that our long-standing customers are further personally looked after properly and receive perfect quality. We are very excited about the growth opportunities that an even more focused Chemque will enjoy with our diversified product line and worldwide customer base. When we strategically decided to focus on our other successful divisions to pave our growth, we had other prospective buyers for the Gasketing division, but we decided to partner with RAMPF as we understand how well served our customers will continue to be with such an innovative and world leading player."

Alex Botrie and Michael Rampf have known each other for a long time. For years, the companies have co-operated very closely and also developed a new patented technology in a joint project. "We will continue development of Co-Dispense technology to the production stage and establish this exciting technology in the sealing market", a self-confident Michael Rampf reported.

The RAMPF Group is a family-run company just like Chemque. Similarly, the employees and closeness to the customer are the focus of business philosophy: "We develop customized solutions. We listen carefully and create products with the properties our customers need for particular applications", said Franz-Josef Giesen, Product Manager for sealing foams at RAMPF Giessharze.

RAMPF is represented with six companies from the head office in Germany, as well as the subsidiaries in the USA, Japan and China. In addition, there is a close network of reliable part-ners to ensure worldwide support. RAMPF Dosiertechnik (dispensing technology) GmbH & Co. KG is also a member of the RAMPF Group. With worldwide more than 1,700 installed solutions in mixing and dispensing equipment, as well as patented mixing systems, RAMPF has demon-strated its ability often. "Customers have a real advantage from the service we offer to providing machine and material out of one hand", stated Michael Rampf emphasizing the advantages of the company group.

The RAMPF Group, Inc. was founded in 2003 in Toledo, Ohio and moved to the current location in Wixom, Michigan in 2004. The resident managing director, Jürgen Penker, is proud of his team: "I have an experienced team. We represent the best possible alternative for system solutions from a single source in the North American market, where components for casting, sealing or bonding are concerned." 

Casting resins and foam gaskets have been produced since March 2008 at the Wixom facilities in a state-of-the-art production plant. "Everything is perfectly prepared. We can now react even more flexibly to the inquiries of our customers. We are looking forward to the new products. The takeover of the Chemque sealing division is a big step and will open up new opportunities to us", according to Penker. 

Chemque, Inc., whose head offices are in Rexale, ON, is a manufacturer of chemical specialties and equipment used in a variety of industries including printing, construction, automotive and telecommunications. For over 35 years and with a sophisticated research and development structure, the company has developed numerous market-leading solutions that have helped their customers on every single continent around the globe to succeed. With a worldwide team of specialized sales and technical representatives, Chemque products range from specialty resins, adhesives and foams to advanced machines and compact manufacturing lines.

For additional information, please go to: 
www.chemque.com  www.rampf-group.com 

RAMPF Group acquires the Form-In-Place Gasketing