ceramica.info

In contrast to what has been happening in other industrial sectors, the Italian ABK Group has continued its expansion programme with the acquisition of French firm Desvres.

ABK Group will invest in remodelling the Boussois factory owned by the French company, which was founded in 1863 and posted revenues of more than €40 million in 2020. As a result, the facility will begin producing larger sizes such as 80×80 cm, 60×120 cm and 20×120 cm and will increase its output from the current 5 million sqm per year to around 7 million sqm by the end of 2022.

“One of our medium-term objectives is to completely relaunch the Desvres brand and expand our export markets,” explains Alessandro Fabbri, Managing Director Sales & Marketing. “Our Group has always chosen to invest in long-established, internationally renowned brands with the aim of restructuring them and returning them to a market leading position thanks to the driving force and innovation of our corporate vision.” 

The company’s strategic geographical location in northern France will also allow the group to establish a production and distribution hub specialising in 20 and 30 mm thick outdoor pavings.

“Our closer proximity to the biggest markets for this type of product, namely France, Belgium, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, will bring us major advantages in terms of logistics and transport costs,” notes Fabbri.

This acquisition confirms ABK Group as one of the top players in the Italian ceramic sector, with revenues expected to reach more than €180 million by the end of 2021 compared to €150 million in 2020.