GREENVILLE, N.C. — UNX Industries and Christeyns USA report they are entering into a definitive merger agreement to create UNX-Christeyns.
The companies say the new U.S.-based company will be able to deliver an unparalleled portfolio of chemicals, detergents, engineered equipment and cleaning solutions to the commercial and industrial textile care market.
The alliance creates significant opportunities for customers by combining Christeyns’ global innovation and supply chain capabilities with UNX’s domestic manufacturing and distribution platform.
The agreement also means the companies will be combining their booth space (#4128) and discussing future plans with customers at the upcoming Clean Show, July 30-Aug. 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
With the arrangement beginning July 1, company headquarters will be located in Greenville, North Carolina. Josh Lilley of UNX will serve as CEO and Christeyns’ Rudi Moors becomes the president.
Sales and service staff, as well as their established and highly respected distributor networks throughout the country, will remain in place, the companies say.
“We have embraced family values for over 60 years in our business, and now another like-minded family-oriented business with a global reach has joined us,” says Lilley. “This agreement makes us a stronger, more flexible organization that is laser-focused on expanding our presence in the U.S.”
“This is a true 50-50 partnership, and both companies have compatible values and a shared passion for serving our customers,” Moors says. “Current and future customers will benefit from a wider selection of products and wash concepts, enhanced service, and the chemical innovation and R&D capabilities we have to offer.”
UNX was founded in 1958 and earned a reputation for providing companies with superior, commercial-grade cleaning products for their laundry, housekeeping and warewash needs.
A trusted supplier to a variety of industries including industrial laundries, education, healthcare, food service, hospitality and athletics, the company says its equipment also sets it apart from competitors and helps customers increase their efficiencies and extend linen life.
“We strive to bring added value to our customers, and this merger gives us the ability to provide better buying power and new product concepts to make them more efficient operators,” says Lilley.
“Christeyns has 46 offices, 17 manufacturing facilities and nine R&D centers around the world. When you add in the manufacturing, distribution and supply-chain strengths UNX has built domestically, these are strong attributes that will benefit our customers.”
Christeyns USA was a division of Christeyns, the $300 million family-owned and -operated Belgian manufacturer of cleaning, hygiene and disinfection products for laundries, the food industry, cleaning companies and the medical sector serving customers in more than 50 countries.
“We intend to be one of the top three chemical providers in the textile care sector,” Moors says. “As a family-owned company, UNX developed very close relationships with their customers that was integral in building their business. When you add in the full complement of resources from an internationally respected company, UNX-Christeyns represents the best of both worlds.
“We have our customers’ best interests in mind, and our combined resources and experience will benefit them across the board.”
Any customers who have questions are encouraged to contact their respective UNX Industries and Christeyns representatives.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].