Portfolio
KemFine
| Sector | Industrials |
|---|---|
| Investment type | Buyouts |
| Region | Finland |
| Status | Former investment |
Nature of Business
Kemfine is a leading tier-one supplier to the fine chemicals market, with exclusive long-term supply agreements with some of the leading global agrochemical companies. The business provides world-class custom manufacturing services mainly to the agrochemicals market, but participates in other custom synthesis segments when attractive opportunities arise.
The company operates from a production site in Kokkola, Finland and has its headquarters in Helsinki, Finland.
Investment Overview
In 2004, 3i saw the potential to carve-out the ‘fine chemicals’ manufacturing arm of Finland’s Kemira, backing a management buyout and renaming the company KemFine Ltd.
Since our original buyout, we have focussed on increasing production capacity in the Kokkola plant through sophisticated productivity programs and by further strengthening Kemfine's long term customer relationships. We have through capital expenditure programs, improved Kemfines cost position by investing in a world class waste water treatment facility.
Following a strategic review in 2009 Kemfine decided to continue the strong focus on agrochemicals and the Grangemouth based production facility in Scotland, which was mainly focused on specialties and pharmaceuticals was disposed in 2010.
Kemfine is focused on maintaining steady, organic growth with a specific emphasis on providing customer-centric solutions. The company’s ongoing strategy is to continue to implement improved processes as a strategic supplier to many of the major agrochemical companies for patented and branded agrochemical end products.
We realised our investment in June 2011, selling to CABB of Germany. During our investment KemFine increased its revenue by 80% and more than doubled its profits.
