Masonite Buys and Sells European Door Manufacturers

TAMPA - Masonite International Corporation says it completed the acquisition of National Hickman, the UK-based supplier of doorkits (similar to fully finished prehung door units) and other millwork in the United Kingdom. It serves the new homebuilder sector with customized solutions delivered directly to the job site.

Masonite also acquired Performance Doorset Solutions Limited, a supplier of custom doors and millwork in the United Kingdom that specializes in non-standard product specifications, manufacturing both wood and composite solutions. PDS employs approximately 150 people located in Lancashire, UK. PDS 2015 net sales exceeded  $20 million; it was acquired for $16 million.

Separately Masonite announced it received a binding offer for its France-based business, Premdor,  from Perceva, a Paris-based independent investment firm. Premdor did €100 million in sales last year and has over 680 employees.

National Hickman employs approximately 400 people at sites located near Birmingham, England, and Glenrothes, Scotland. Hickman’s net sales for the twelve months ended June 2015 were approximately  $110 million. The purchase price for 100% of the outstanding shares was approximately  $82  million.

“Hickman’s leadership in providing doorkit solutions to the homebuilder market in the UK is a natural extension of our UK business,” said Chris Virostek, Masonite’s Senior Vice President, Strategy Implementation and Corporate Development. “Hickman’s deployment of automation and product line leadership complements the strategies we are pursuing with our business.”

In Masonite's latest quarterly report last month, net sales decreased $13.8 million, or 2.8% to $476.4 million for the second quarter of 2015, greatly imp[acted by foreign exchange. Excluding a $25.7 million (or 5.2%) unfavorable impact from foreign exchange, net sales would have increased by 2.4% to $502.1 million for the second quarter, the company said in its SEC filing. Net income more than doubled to $13.8 million.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Profile picture for user billesler
About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.