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creating better environments
Milestones of Forbo Group

2008

Acquisition of Bonar Floors, a major European flooring manufacturer in the contract flooring sector. With this, Flooring Systems strengthens its leading position as a systems provider of resilient flooring solutions in the commercial market.



Forbo acquires the lightweight PVC conveyor belting business from Fenner Dunlop (Charlotte) Inc. North America as a further step to strengthen its Movement Systems division.



2007

New branding and growth strategy; three core divisions – flooring, adhesives and belting – renamed Flooring Systems, Bonding Systems and Movement Systems, operating under the Forbo brand with an integrated business strategy.



2004 – 2006

Strategic focus on three core divisions reaffirmed. Restructuring and measures to raise profitability. Acquisition of Chinese adhesives manufacturer specialized in hot-melt and water-based adhesives.



2000 – 2003

Adhesives gains world stature by acquiring Swift, operating worldwide from the USA, Europe and Asia. Belting business expands in Britain. Linoleum and Vinyl merged to create Forbo Flooring. Now three strategic businesses: Flooring, Adhesives and Belting.



2000 and 2001

New strategy focusing on four divisions: Linoleum, Vinyl, Belting and Adhesives. Divestment of industrial activities, including extruded profiles, decorative products and coated textiles. Carpet business spun off in management buyout. A series of minor acquisitions to strengthen Adhesives business.



1996 – 1998

Divestment of wall-coverings and laminates activities.



1994

Acquisition of Siegling, specializing in process and conveyor belt systems.



1975 – 1994

Forbo evolves into a worldwide group operating on five continents: acquisition of a flooring business in Britain; diversification into wall-coverings and high-pressure laminates.



1973 and 1974

Adhesives activities hived off from linoleum business to be developed independently.

Continentale Linoleum Union is renamed Forbo to reflect the wider portfolio of activities.



1950 – 1973

Diversification into related products such as carpets and vinyl flooring.



1928

Three linoleum manufacturers – German, Swedish and Swiss – form the Continentale Linoleum Union.