Bal & Ardex Merger

[Muse2k8]

Heard Bal and Ardex have merged (hopefully this ain't old news I didn't ask a date).

Wonder how/if this will effect products in anyway. I know Ardex have merged into Bal so does this mean Bal quality on Ardex ranges or maybe even no changes.

 

[Dan]

News to me mate. When did you hear this?

 

[Muse2k8]

Heard it today from a reliable tiling source. Maybe it's been kept quiet? And was it Ardex -> Bal or vice versa... Think I've spent too long soldering this morning lol.

 

[Dan]

No I think you're right mate. It seems there was some discussion on this on another forum around the end of November. And they were PMing each other about the topic. Apparently it'll be (or has been) in the press. Can't say I've seen it but I have been super busy these last few months for a few reasons.

 

[Mike]

there was a thread on it a few years ago and it was mentioned then that they're part of the same worldwide group

 

[Muse2k8]

Tried to google more information but not really got the time at the mo. Thought it was interesting though. It was mentioned while I was showing of my new Ardex grout colour sample stick things.

 

[Muse2k8]

Yeah you have Ardex holdings but apparently this is a more recent development.

 

[Rich]

I dont think it will make any difference to either to be honest. There are so many companies that own each other that we dont even know about.

 

[Dan]

Ardex has been the parent company to BAL since Johnsons sold BAL some 6 or 7 years ago I think. But I think this is an actual Merge of BAL into Ardex, the much larger company.

I think anyway.

 

[Rich]

If so, what kind of changes would you expect to see Dan?

 

[Dan]

Not sure mate it's new to me and I'm guessing here. Ardex wouldn't merge into BAL. It would be the other way around. Whether products change or not I couldn't guess. But BAL have launched a few new products the last couple of years and spent a lot on marketing those and their other projects. So I can't see them wanting to lose that investment. I don't know if they mean more sort of sharing a factory to cut back on costs or something like that. I'm trying to find some actual facts on this but can't. It seems what I can find is also speculation. I think we'd expect to see the news in TSJ and TileUK but I can't find anything on it of recent months after a bit of a quick flick through the mags.

I live about a mile away from BAL and nothing has changed at their factory from what I can tell.

We might see nothing change, and it's just the back end of stuff that changes for some reason. Perhaps management from Ardex just step in at BAL or something. Not sure though mate.

No doubt we'll hear something solid in due course as BAL sure do like their InfoArticles they put out.

 

[Gall.B]

Cant see a merger my self, two distinctive brands with there own identity's.

As for quality, Ardex outshine Bal in most departments.

 

[Spud]

I had a coffee with Danny Brant in December and he didnt mention it ,he is working on getting Bal specified direct with the architects after Bal were relying on retail sales for far too long ,Bal are still probably number 1 or number 2 in the uk market so no need for the 2 brands to merger

 

[Muse2k8]

Hmmm well it was news from an Ardex lad so I'm leaning towards it being true but then maybe he was yanking my chain...

 

[Stef]

I spoke to Moray Anderson (Technical Services) at Hampden Trade show & he told me that Ardex already owned Bal.

Ardex, Bal, Dunlop & Pro-fix. in that order.

Ardex adhesive is really good gear, still cant believe the grab of X77. Need to see to believe.