Univar creates dedicated EMEA Energy team
- Categories: Corporate, Industry, Univar Europe News
- 31 May 2011
Brussels, Belgium – 31st May 2011 – Univar Inc., a leading global chemical distributor, has expanded its operations in the energy sector with the establishment of an Energy team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), focusing exclusively on the oil and gas industry. The move is part of Univar’s strategy to significantly expand its energy business in EMEA within the next three years and become a key supplier to the oil and gas industry in the region.
The new energy team will promote Univar’s range of commodity and specialty chemicals to the upstream oilfield industry, in addition to offering unique filtration systems, new generation purification guards and hydrotreating catalysts to refineries, natural gas and petrochemical plants in the downstream industry. These products take out unwanted elements, including mercury, sulphur and chlorine, from the feed-stocks such as crude-oil or naptha, thus increasing product sustainability.
The team is beginning its sales push within Europe, where the energy sector is worth an estimated €600 million in chemical sales annually. By 2012, the energy team will expand operations further into the Middle East and Africa.
“All the major players in oil and gas want global contracts, and our new EMEA Energy team will help us deliver this capability. We look forward to further expanding relationships with our global clients operating in this important sector,” said David Jukes, Univar’s President Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Headed by Ellert Spaans, Univar’s Industry Manager Energy Sector, EMEA, the team will consist of four Univar regional sales and technical champions, responsible for their own designated markets: Sjoerd Waaijers (Benelux, France and Central and Eastern Europe), Gintaras Sabonis (the Nordics, Baltics and the Commonwealth of Independent States), Paolo Passaquindici (Italy and Iberia) and David Thomson (UK and Ireland).
“Univar’s dedicated industry focus requires in-depth knowledge and understanding of individual markets and a need for differentiated and value-added services. The EMEA Energy team represents a new direction for Univar within the region and, with this highly experienced team, we are confident Univar will reach its goal to become the main supplier in the region for the oil and gas sector,” said Spaans.
Univar’s strong sales and marketing teams complement chemical producers and create value for customers. The company provides technical expertise in application development, excellence in logistics support, and outstanding customer service to help its partners grow their business. The company offers a comprehensive array of industrial and specialty chemicals and related services to businesses worldwide. As well as energy, Univar serves a wide range of industries such as food, pharmaceutical, personal care, household and industrial cleaning and coatings.
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About Univar
Univar is one of the world’s leading distributors of industrial and specialty chemicals. Univar represents over 2,500 chemical producers and provides its customer base, made up of 80,000 customers, with a full portfolio of products. Univar operates a network of more than 170 facilities in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America, with additional sales offices located in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2010, Univar reported sales of $7.9 billion. For more information, visit: www.univar.com.
Operating from 56 distribution facilities in 25 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Univar’s 2,200 local employees serve more than 28,000 customers in a diverse range of industries including coatings, food, personal care, pharmaceuticals and other major sectors. To learn more about Univar Europe, please visit: www.univareurope.com.
For further information, please contact:
Catherine Lennon
Director - Communications, Europe, Middle East & Africa
Univar
T +32 (0) 2 525 05 63
F +32 (0) 2 520 17 51
M +32 (0) 478 251 588
catherine.lennon@univareurope.com
Julian Rea
Account Manager, CitySavvy PR
T: + 44 (0) 207 395 1000
M: + 44 (0) 7825 66 3000
julian@citysavvy.com