ETX-10829_Etex-AR2017_WEB_2018_DEF2 (2)

2.3
Activity report
Etex Façade
Etex Annual Report 2017
Activity report
Etex Façade
Growth in residential
façade markets
In Europe, Cedral continued to post
strong growth driven by the residential
renovation market and large housing
projects. In addition to growth in underlying
construction markets, Cedral sidings benefit
from a positive substitution trend versus
sidings in plastic and wood.
Steady in Europe
Throughout 2017, the United Kingdom
experienced growth in the residential
façade segment. Strong demand for
structural housing continues to fuel
this market.
In France, we posted stable results in a
recovering market. In Germany, our siding
business generated strong growth.
We achieved more modest growth in
the Netherlands and Sweden. Elsewhere
in the Benelux and the Nordics, market
conditions were more challenging and
resulted in a stable performance compared
to the previous year.
In Lithuania, our newly built Cedral sidings
production line became fully operational
and is primed to support our European
growth ambitions.
Demand for our fibre cement sidings in
Russia grew significantly in 2017. The
residential renovation market continues
to strengthen. We expect this trend to
continue over the coming years and plan to
act accordingly.
Strongly rooted in Latin America
Our residential sidings business has a longstanding
track record in Latin America.
While 2016 was a record sales year in Chile,
2017 proved to be more challenging due to
the economic recession in the country. Still,
our Chilean business maintained high sales
volumes throughout the year. In Argentina,
we continued to record growth.
Our vision is to lead the
global façade market
with beautiful and
durable materials.
Facing the future
with confidence
For the years to come, the division aims at realising
double-digit growth rates. To harness the growth
potential that Etex Façade offers, we will accelerate
our sales excellence over the next year. In addition, we
will also revamp our marketing approach to ensure it is
fit for progress.
Expanding our portfolio, in 2017, we launched Equitone
[linea] in white. Etex’s range of fibre cement façade
materials is unique in its diversity.
pp17 apartments built
around a local school
building make up De
Hooistoof in Strijen. To keep
a village-like characteristic,
the buildings were built in
farmhouse style. Cedral
façade panels were used to
clad the external walls.
For 2018, we also have a variety of product launches
in the pipeline, both in residential and architectural
market segments.
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