James Hardie, a leading manufacturer of cement composite products, is making a strategic entry into the Nordic market. The company is to implement a range of tried and tested distributor and installer programmes throughout the Nordic countries, with the aim of taking a major portion of the brick and sidings market within three years.

The company has already established a leadership position in the USA and Australia. This is based on the strength of its product range - which meets the demand for durable building products - and its ability to forge long-term, relationships with key players in the building supplies market.

“We have been operating in Europe for the last three years, and in our view the time is now right to establish our presence in the Nordic markets", said Pierre Castien, General Manager for James Hardie Europe. "Our broad aim is to have between ten and twenty percent of the facade market within the next five years.
The lesson from our other markets has been that while everyone has substantially more leisure time today, the last thing they want to do with it, is carry out building maintenance. We're in business, to make sure they don't have to!"

The company has already signed major distribution agreements in all major Nordic markets, with Optimera in Norway and Dansk Eternit in Denmark. In Finland James Hardie has signed an agreement with Rautakesko. 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.

James Hardie will offer an installer program which aims to raise the quality of installations and offer the homeowner a one-stop shop for façade renovation or new build.

James Hardie's international reputation as a dynamic manufacturer and developer of innovative, durable building materials is built on extensive technology and product knowledge - the company operates the world's largest R&D facility devoted to cement composites - and its ability to add value all along the supply chain. It builds and sustains close and mutually beneficial relationships with distributors, builders, merchants and installers.

Its flagship product is HardiPlank, now the market-leading siding in the US and Australia, which combines all the advantages of cement composite - excellent durability and fire-resistance - with traditional look.


Background information:

James Hardie (NASDAQ, NM:JHX) is the leading innovator of durable building materials and composite 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 great products and the success of our partners and customers.


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



For more information about James Hardie and the business partner program, contact
Paulina Logchies
Marketing Manager James Hardie Europe
Atrium, 8th Floor, Strawinskylaan 3077
1077ZX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Phone: +31(0) 20 301 3823
Mobile: +31 (0) 6 51884345
fax: +31 (0) 20 642 5357

http://www.jameshardieEU.com

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