Background
ARDEX is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of building materials for the flooring, tile and façade industries, with activities in more than 50 countries.
For ten years, I was part of ARDEX’s international group management, reporting directly to the Group CEO. As Group Managing Director for Northern Europe, I held overall responsibility for the group’s activities in the region and management responsibility for more than 100 employees.
In addition to operational responsibility, I contributed continuously to the group’s strategic development and international growth initiatives.
Starting point
ARDEX held a strong global market position and had a clear ambition for continued growth through both organic development and strategic acquisitions.
There was also a strong focus on:
- Profitable growth
- Market leadership
- Organisational development
- Integration of new business areas
- International expansion
My role
As Group Managing Director for Northern Europe, I was responsible for:
- Strategic leadership of the region
- P&L responsibility across several countries
- Organisational development
- Recruitment and leadership development
- Business development
- Board work in several companies
- Strategic sparring with the Group CEO and international group management
I also participated actively in the assessment of and strategic sparring around several major acquisitions. This included contributing to the group’s work on the acquisitions of:
- Wakol GmbH
- Wedi GmbH
Two of the largest and most strategically significant acquisitions in ARDEX group history.
Results
Throughout the period, the Northern European organisation delivered some of the strongest results in the ARDEX group. Measured by market size and EBIT margin, the region was among the group’s best-performing units year after year.
The results were created through:
- Strong commercial development
- Focus on profitability
- Leadership development
- Professional organisational development
- Long-term strategy
- Close collaboration with customers, employees and partners
What does the case demonstrate?
The ARDEX case illustrates the experience I bring to working with owner-managers and boards:
For many owner-managers, succession is not only about completing a transaction. It is about preparing the business for its next chapter. Experience from international leadership, acquisitions, board work and owner-managed businesses can create value here.