A Waterford-based environmental solutions company has acquired a significant player in the environmental services sector in France.
FLI International has purchased the assets and business of Solmax Geosynthetique SAS in France, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe Solmax of Canada.
The combined businesses will trade as FLI Solmax France, which is the trading name for FLI France SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FLI International, which has its headquarters in Waterford.
"With the merger and consolidation of two of the longest established and highly regarded businesses in Europe we are confident that we will be able to offer the very best geosynthetics supply and installation services in the French market which demands very high quality and exacting standards," said Mr Michael Flynn, Managing Director of FLI International and president of the new company, FLI Solmax France.
The Irish company has been planning for expansion in to the European market since June 2002 and Solmax, a Canadian-owned company with a landfill lining and containment operation based in France, has extensive experience and contacts in French industry.
The acquisition of the French operation will boost FLI's annual turnover in France's environmental services sector by €€6 million.
FLI has worked closely with Solmax in the past on a number of environmental protection projects in France.
Mr Flynn said the expansion of FLI International in Europe had been planned for some time.
"We needed to find a company in France that already had a solid history of trading and contracting within the French and European markets," said Mr Flynn.
"The acquisition of Solmax is a very significant move for us and will allow us to fast-track our growth in the French market.
"FLI's existing operations will be greatly strengthened by the Solmax staff members, who are already experienced in the French environmental services industry."
Founded in 1989 by Michael Flynn, FLI recently completed a €2 million project in the Champagne region of France for food company McCains and has also worked in some of Africa and Asia's most troubled countries.
