DALLAS, TX - Hempel has signed a binding agreement to acquire Jones-Blair Co., Dallas, TX, a leading North American supplier for the protective and waterproofing markets. The proposed acquisition will help Hempel expand its North American business in accordance with its global growth strategy.

Hempel’s Group President and CEO Pierre-Yves Jullien commented, “Jones-Blair is a company that we have been following for years, and we finally got the chance to acquire it. Jones-Blair has proven to be one of the best coatings manufacturers in the region. It has a unique market position, great technical knowledge and many years of experience. The acquisition will create the best conditions for us to achieve our objectives in North America, and also supports our goal of becoming one of the world’s top-10 largest coatings suppliers by the end of 2015.”

Jones-Blair’s business is focused on two distinct markets: oil and gas (industrial coatings) and construction, especially waterproofing through the NEOGARD brand.

The transaction is expected to close in early March 2015, subject to regulatory approval.

Hempel acquired the U.S.-based protective coatings manufacturer Blome International Inc. in 2012. At the end of 2014, Hempel completed its latest acquisition when it acquired Schaepman, a Dutch coatings manufacturer.