The week in business: 13 January
Drylock takes over American competitor, Yangtze River Express pulls out of Brussels Airport and an overview of the rest of the week's business news
Data – Swan Insights
Hygiene – Drylock
The specialist in incontinence products and thin diapers, based in Zele, East Flanders and with plants in Russia and the Czech Republic, is taking over the US company Presto Absorbent for €68 million.
Air – Yangtze River Express
The Chinese air cargo and freight company is pulling out of Brussels Airport at the end of this month, citing Brussels’ new noise restriction regulations, which come into effect on 1 March. Other freight carriers, including Saudia Cargo, have expressed concern that the implementation of the new rules may force them to move their operations to Amsterdam, Maastricht or Frankfurt.
Fruit – Belgische Fruitveiling
The Sint-Truiden fruit auctions co-operative is taking over its competitor Veiling Haspengouw as part of the sector’s consolidation in the face of the Russian boycott of Belgian fruit. Although some firms export through Belarus to bypass the regulation, international sales of local fruit have dropped significantly.
Cars – Carglass
The Brussels-based specialist in repair and replacement of auto glass is taking over the Care chain of body shops to offer full auto repair service to customers.
Textiles – Sioen
The producer of safety vests and other protective clothing, based in Aardooie, West Flanders, is buying Finland’s Verseidag Ballistic Protection, specialised in bullet-proof vests and equipment, for €18 million.
Construction – Vandersanden
The producer of bricks and building materials, based in Bilzen, Limburg, and Europe’s largest family-owned company in the sector, is acquiring three production units in the Netherlands and one in Germany from the Irish CRH Group.
