HB Fuller targets growth with trio of deals

Since the beginning of the year, US adhesives and sealants manufacturer HB Fuller has acquired three of its smaller rivals in a push to expand both sales volumes and geographic reach.

In early September, the company agreed to purchase Royal Adhesives and Sealants – a US firm operating 19 sites in five countries and employing 1500 people – for $1.6 billion (£1.2 billion). The deal is part of HB Fuller’s plan to shift its portfolio towards more specialist adhesive applications, such as in aerospace and marine industries.

The deal follows HB Fuller’s acquisition of two smaller firms. In January, the company bought US-based packaging adhesives specialist Wisdom Worldwide Adhesives for $122 million. Six months later, HB Fuller agreed to buy Brazilian polymer adhesives maker Adecol for an undisclosed sum.