Under the new arrangement beginning January 1, Trelleborg’s printing blankets will be grouped with engineered fabrics used for protective clothing and higly specialised functions under Trelleborg Coated Systems.
Dario Porta will continue as president of the business unit, which will become a separate entity. Printing blankets are currently grouped under Engineering Systems with Industrial Solutions and Offshore & Construction, both of which will become divisions in their own right.
The final two business areas are Sealing Solutions for the aerospace and automotive markets, and Wheel Systems, which manufactures industrial tyres.
The restructure was announced at the company’s Capital Markets Day on Thursday 6 December, during which new growth targets were set out for 2013.
The company set out a 5% organic growth target, and expected to reap an operating margin of at least 12% above sales. Return on shareholders’ equity is set to be 15% or above.
Trelleborg Group president Peter Nilsson said: "Trelleborg’s new financial targets shall be seen as realistic, reachable and in line with responsible risk taking. We have exceeded our previous financial targets and our ambition is to exceed these new targets as well."
The event also highlighted the company’s success in moving towards its goal of having an improved geographical balance. Sales in emerging markets have "boomed" since 2006, the company claimed.
Asian sales have almost double in the six-year period, at 181%, while south and central Americas have seen an increase of 88%. Earlier this year, Trelleborg bought Brazilian blanket manufacturer Printec to expand its reach into the Latin American market.
Eastern European sales have grown 71% since 2006, while western Europe, traditionally Trelleborg’s strongest market, showed a 7% increase.
Nilsson said: "There are a number of growth initiatives being implemented in Trelleborg. The driving force is to be close to customers and to follow them in their globalization but also to develop local customer relationships.
"We have emerged from a conglomerate into a focused polymer group with clearly defined strategic markets.
"In 2012, no fewer than seven production facilities were established in developing countries, which shows that we are gradually developing a better geographic balance.
"For instance, in 2005, Trelleborg had only two locations in China. Now there are six manufacturing and development sites along with many sales and engineering facilities. Similarly in Brazil, we have expanded our presence to more than 10 manufacturing, development, engineering and sales locations that represent all parts of the Trelleborg Group.
"Our new organisation focuses on selected segments with growth opportunities and will act as the perfect platform for the next successful leap in Trelleborg’s evolution as a global leading force in polymers."
