Nagase America announced that it has acquired US-based specialty chemicals distributor Fitz Chem Corporation. This acquisition advances the strategy of the NAGASE Group for growth in the specialty chemicals market in the US. It is a step towards implementing Nagase America’s vision of becoming a leading national specialty chemical distributor, and activities for integration will start immediately.
 
Fitz Chem, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nagase America, will continue to conduct business under the Fitz Chem name as Fitz Chem LLC.
 
Fitz Chem Corporation is a specialty chemical distributor, with more than $60 million in revenue, focused on the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomer (CASE) markets, as well as the plastics and personal care markets. NAGASE is the leading supplier to these markets in Japan with a broad portfolio of both distributed products and proprietary products manufactured by NAGASE. NAGASE also has a growing presence in China, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and other areas.
 
“This acquisition allows NAGASE to combine its technical expertise and existing supplier and customer relationships with those of Fitz Chem, creating opportunities for sustained growth in the US market,” said Bradley Hilborn, director of sales & marketing at Nagase America.
 
“Continuity was extremely important to our Fitz Chem management team,” said Robert Becker, chairman of Fitz Chem. “We wanted a long-term partner that focused on providing growth opportunities for our employees, one that would not create any conflicts for our suppliers, and lastly one that would provide additional resources to assist our customers in growing their businesses.”
 
NAGASE offers a variety of value-added services, such as a coatings and plastics application lab. This lab can be utilized by Fitz Chem’s suppliers and customers for raw material analysis as well as application and formulation development.
 
Nagase America will continue exploring opportunities for growth in the US market, both organic and through acquisitions, to strengthen its position as a national specialty chemical distributor.