Dry wall products supplier Siniat, an Etex company, has taken over light steel frame specialist EOS Facades.

EOS said that under Siniat ownership, its ambition to become the leading player in steel frame systems would be accelerated.

At the same time, Siniat’s parent company, Belgian materials group Etex, has pooled Siniat, EOS and Promat into a single new division called Etex Building Perfromance.

The division will employ more than 500 people, with major manufacturing sites in Bristol, Yorkshire and County Durham. It will be led by Neil Ash, the managing director of Siniat UK, who becomes head of Etex Building Performance UK. 

Neil Ash said: “Our vision is singular – to be the leading expert in dry construction, concentrating our efforts on creating solutions for the buildings of tomorrow.  The three brands within Etex Building Performance complement each other and are well known for their innovation, high-quality manufacturing and technical know-how.

“By combining forces we will provide pioneering solutions and industry-leading technical expertise, backed by excellent customer service. From working with specifiers at the design stage through to providing subcontractors with dedicated technical on-site advice, Etex Building Performance will support its customers from the initial phase of a project, through to completion.

“As recognised and successful brands in their own right, each will continue to trade separately in the UK as Siniat, Promat and EOS Facades.

Steve Thompson, managing director of EOS Facades, said of the takeover: “This as an investment for the future and for manufacturing jobs here in County Durham. EOS Facades is an ambitious company and this deal will open up further opportunities for investment and innovation to ensure we remain at the forefront of research and development and to meet the exacting demands of the construction industry.”

Etex is also the parent company of roof tiles company Marley Eternit, which was in the new yesterday for taking over roof batten maker John Brach & Co.