FORBO EUROCOL NETHERLANDS
From by-product to leading brand
Forbo Eurocol was created as private company, the N.V. Dutch Linoleum Factory in Krommenie, which originally produced flooring products. In order to offer the client a full range of products, they began developing adhesives, levelling compounds, maintenance and cleaning products. This was handled by a separate department. These 'by-products' for flooring proved very popular with installation companies and other clients, leading to swift growth of the department.
Elastic tile adhesive
When the construction sector in The Netherlands was going through a golden age in the 1960's and 1970's, the adhesives department in Krommenie developed a unique technical solution. During those years, many high rise structures were built using concrete, which resulted in a difficult problem when it came to tiling. Concrete shrinks a lot, and the brittle, cement-like tile adhesives of the time resulted in loose tiles and cracks in the tile work becoming a big problem. There was a need for a permanently elastic adhesive to deal with these situations. The product developers in Krommenie managed to develop and manufacture these products. Once the independent technical testing agency TNO had extensively tested and approved the adhesive, manufacturing demand for the products grew rapidly. The ready-for-use elastic wall tile adhesive 682 Majolicol was born, and remains the best quality tile adhesive on the market.
The 'Eurocol' brand
The new Eurocol tile adhesive also proved a great success, and activity in Krommenie intensified dramatically. The adhesives department remained within the linoleum plant, which had since become part of the Forbo Group. Under the guidance of the Director J.C. Kaars Sijpesteijn, who passed away in 1972. The adhesives plant was sold off that same year under the Eurocol name and established in Wormerveer. Later on, that became: ‘Forbo Eurocol’, but all products still carry the ‘eurocol’ brand. Thanks to continuous product development and improvement of Eurocol products by the Research & Development department, in close cooperation with Sales, Forbo Eurocol quickly grew to become the market leader in The Netherlands.
Waterproof tiling
A key success factor for Forbo Eurocol is the waterproof tiling system for wet rooms. This combination of primer, waterproof flexible tile adhesives, grouting and sealants provides ideal protection on surfaces susceptible to humidity. For example, this system enables bathrooms to be utilised as more fashionable wet-rooms, even using tiling on the plasterboard and gypsum plaster board commonly used in The Netherlands. But Eurocol products are also often successfully used for swimming pools and terraces.
In-house development and manufacturing
The development of these special products lies at the foundation of the success of Forbo Eurocol. The in-house R&D and manufacturing facilities represent significant added value for customers. This allows the company to quickly address technical developments and market trends. For example with special adhesives for LVT strips and tiles, adhesives for large format tiles, or sealants and grouting in matching colours. Forbo Eurocol also pays special attention to sustainability, both in their own factory and office buildings and in Eurocol products. For example, volatile substances have almost entirely been replaced with human and environmentally friendly alternatives, and most of the powder products are now low in particulates. The packaging units have also been made lighter and more health & safety conscious.
Advice, information and project support
At least as important as the quality of Eurocol products is the technical product advice, processing instruction and project support. Forbo Eurocol also provides product training at their own training centre or on location. In addition to a technical help desk, a team of Technical commercial advisors is ready to help clients and partners with whatever they need. If required including project management on the job. There is also the option of an Insured Project Guarantee, that contractors and processors can sign a project up for to provide even greater security. Forbo Eurocol is always represented at leading construction and flooring trade shows with product news and to talk with customers. Forbo Eurocol also provide high quality brochures and flyers, and instructional videos on the website. Users can also download special Eurocol apps that provide answers to all technical questions pertaining to tile work and floor finishes.
The factory in Germany is also provide the quality that has made the 'eurocol' brand a success. Their presence in domestic markets contributes to the growth and recognition of the Eurocol brand. The brand is accompanied by the logo: "the strong connection" and the co-branding: ‘Eurocol is part of the Forbo Group’.
All Eurocol products are produced in same packaging, with fixed, recognisable colours for each product group and icons representing the finish: floor covering, parquet or tiling. The rebranding has been completed in 2014-2015.