USA
UNX Industries and Christeyns USA have announced they are entering into a definitive merger agreement to create UNX-Christeyns. The new US-based company will be able to deliver an unparalleled portfolio of chemicals, detergents, engineered equipment and cleaning solutions to the commercial and industrial textile care market, said the company.
This alliance creates significant opportunities for customers by combining Christeyns’ global innovation and supply chain capabilities with UNX’s domestic manufacturing and distribution platform. The agreement also means the companies will be combining their booth space (StaND 4128) and discussing future plans with customers at the upcoming Clean Show, 30 July 2 August at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
With the arrangement taking effect from 1 July, the company headquarters will be located in Greenville, North Carolina. Josh Lilley of UNX will serve as chief executive officer and Christeyns’ Rudi Moors becomes president. Sales and service staffs, as well as established distributor networks throughout the country, will remain in place.
Pictured: Principals involved with the new UNX-Christeyns include, from left to right – Board chairman Griff Garner; Board member Edwin Clark; CEO Josh Lilley; owners Josh Clark and Alain Bostoen, and Bostoen’s son, Hector; vice president of operational integration Ann Cayet; and president Rudi Moors
“We have embraced family values for over 60 years in our business, and now another like-minded family-oriented business with a global reach has joined us,” commented Lilley. ‘This agreement makes us a stronger, more flexible organization that is laser focused on expanding our presence in the US.”
“This is a true 50-50 partnership, and both companies have compatible values and a shared passion for serving our customers,” said Moors. “Current and future customers will benefit from a wider selection of products and wash concepts, enhanced service, and the chemical innovation and R&D capabilities we have to offer.”
UNX was founded in 1958 and earned a reputation for providing companies with superior, commercial grade cleaning products for their laundry, houskeeping and warewash needs. A trusted supplier to a variety of industries including industrial laundries, education, healthcare, food service, hospitality and athletics, their equipment also sets them apart from competitors and helps customers increase their efficiencies and extend linen life.
“We strive to bring added value to our customers, and this merger gives us the ability to provide better buying power and new product concepts to make them more efficient operators,” said Lilley. “Christeyns has 46 offices, 17 manufacturing facilities and nine R&D centers around the world. When you add in the manufacturing, distribution and supply chain strengths UNX has built domestically, these are strong attributes that will benefit our customers.”
Christeyns USA was a division of Christeyns, the $300M family-owned and operated Belgian manufacturer of cleaning, hygiene and disinfection products for laundries, the food industry, cleaning companies and the medical sector serving customers in over 50 countries.
“We intend to be one of the top three chemical providers in the textile care sector,” said Moors. “As a family owned company, UNX developed very close relationships with their customers that was integral in building their business. When you add in the full complement of resources from an internationally respected company, UNX-Christeyns represents the best of both worlds. We have our customers’ best interests in mind, and our combined resources and experience will benefit them across the board.”
Any customers who have questions are encouraged to contact their respective UNX Industries and Christeyns representatives.
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