With more than 20 years of market domination in Australia and the US, James Hardie is entering the European markets with its innovative products made of cement composite. These sidings are made to last longer, requiring only a minimum of maintenance. This global enterprise has become known in many European countries and is now looking for partners in Finland and the other Nordic countries. The local installers will be offered all necessary training and support – an entirely new business and marketing concept.

In the United States, already more than three million single-family houses have been clad by siding made of cement composite – low maintenance products that end users do not have to repaint, a value adding characteristic for the customers of the installers.

The aim is to find local, dynamic installers wishing to expand their businesses in close cooperation with an international market leader focusing on continuous development. The installers will be given efficient tools to better promote and run their businesses, including installation training, tools and means for marketing and sales promotion, as well as opportunities to develop their business concepts. Even experienced operators will often benefit from new ideas in the field of, for example, customer contacts management and their systematic development.
The partnership strategy is based on the win-win principle: the installer develops a more profitable business, the end consumer gets a better installed product and has the advantages of low maintenance. The intention of James Hardie is to develop a network of trained installers who will contribute to the success of the composite industry markets in the Nordic countries.

In Finland the central trading organisation Rautakesko sees the cooperation with James Hardie and the installers as an innovative opportunity to offer the customers a comprehensive service concept via the shops of K-rauta and Rautia.

”In addition to the products, the customers more and more often also want to have the installation provided. This kind of comprehensive service has not been available for our façade renovators”, Mr Kimmo Halinen from Kesko says.

HardiPlank and HardiTrim façade sidings resemble the appearances of traditional wooden sidings but they require less maintenance and have better resistance in the arduous Nordic climates. Obviously, there is a decreasing wish to use one’s leisure time for façade reparation and painting, therefore the painted, more resistant materials will significantly save both time and money.

The façade products are easy for tooling and they are suitable for both new and old buildings, either as complete surfaces or to enhance the appearance of the building, also combined with other materials. In addition to ventilated façades, the application areas include gables and eaves.



Background information of the company:
James Hardie (NASDAQ, NM:JHX) is the leading innovator of durable building materials and technologies. For over 20 years, we have operated in markets around the world, in the United States, Australia and recently in Europe. Our businesses employ over 2,500 people who generate revenue of more than 1.0 billion Euro a year. Our success is based on being first in added value to our partners and customers.

HardiPlank is a registered trademark of James Hardie International Finance B.V.

Picture 1:
James Hardie is looking for partners in the Nordic region by offering them a new business concept to grow their business.

Picture 2:
(The building): James Hardie cement composite sidings look good and are made to last longer, requiring only a minimum of maintenance.

For more information about James Hardie and the business partner program, contact Paulina Logchies
Contact Persons:
Paulina Logchies
Marketing Manager James Hardie Europe
Atrium, 8th Floor, Strawinskylaan 3077
1077ZX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
ph: +31(0) 20 301 3823
m: ++31 (0) 6 51884345
fax: +31 (0) 20 642 5357
http://www.jameshardieEU.com

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