Zotefoams (675 Mitcham Road, GB-Croydon CR9 3AL) and Japanese company Sekisui Chemical, the world´s leading manufacturers of block and continuous roll crosslinked polyolefin foams, respectively, have signed a global sales and marketing agreement. Sekisui will now handle the sales of the Zotefoams range outside of the UK, providing immediate access to the growing markets of Asia and South America, as well as increasing significantly the potential for the UK company´s manufacturing investment in the USA.

Commenting on the alliance, Zotefoams managing director, Andrew Gingell said: “Together we will be able to supply an unparalleled portfolio through an established sales and marketing operation to a broader range of end users.”

Details of the tie-up with Sekisui were released as Zotefoams announced 1999 turnover figures of GBP 22.4m, down from GBP 24.2m in 1998, with an accompanying 27.5% fall in pre-tax profits, from GBP 8.0m to GBP 5.8m. The company blamed the decline on rising raw material prices and a sharp reduction in turnover with the toy market.