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FOUNDED IN 1927
History
2021
Bang & Bonsomer is launching a corporate accountability and transparency programme to ensure that the company is able to monitor its CRS status and improve it whenever possible.
The company grows by acquiring all shares of Eurogum in Denmark and Poland, the majority of shares from Costech Chemical ApS’s in Denmark, and Topplast in Estonia.
These acquisitions help Bang & Bonsomer strengthen its position in the Nordic and Baltic markets.
2019
In August 2019, Bang & Bonsomer acquires all shares of the Danish company Kiranto Foods A/S.
Kiranto Foods is a Scandinavian manufacturer of functional spice blends and the acquisition strengthens Bang & Bonsomer’s position within the meat and convenience foods industries.
2017
Brand refreshing: We deliver smart material technologies.
Bang & Bonsomer acquires Purfin Oy’s polyurethane business in Finland and the Baltic States.
Investing in shares of the nanocellulose company Betulium Oy helps to complete Bang & Bonsomers goals in material technology. Bang & Bonsomer and Betulium sign a long-term, global development and marketing agreement.
2016
Cosmetics and detergents technical support centre opens in Moscow.
A production unit for manufacturing Polycor® gelcoat is opened at Bang & Bonsomer warehouse in Kokkola, Finland.
2015
Bang & Bonsomer acquires BOCO (Nordic Board Agents and Consultants Ltd); the company’s paper and board business is merged into the Packaging and Plastics business unit. Bang & Bonsomer acquires the Swedish colour manufacturer Unicolor Ab and the Norwegian company Normatch As, which will be merged into the packaging and plastics business. The construction, adhesives and sealants business unit opens a laboratory in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Bang & Bonsomer acquires, together with its partner Movere Oy, the joint handling, packaging and storage business in Valkeakoski, and the operations are transferred to the industrial chemicals unit.
2014
BU Food Ingredients opens an application kitchen in Moscow to support our technical sales.
2012
BU Paint & Coatings opens a technical support centre in Rostov-On-Don. Bang & Bonsomer acquires the food ingredients business from Labnet Oy and merges it with our existing Food Ingredients business unit. The business unit undergoes a period of rapid growth.
2011
Bang & Bonsomer has a positive cash flow and is back in growth mode. The company acquires a surface treatment business from Oy Suomen Gutex Ab and merges it into BU Paint & Coatings.
2008- 2010
Following the global financial crisis, the company goes through a difficult period with some restructuring and painful cuts. At the age of 70 Mr K.J. Hertell decides to retire as Chairman of the Board. He continues as a member of the board and an active advisor. The new Chairman of the Board, Mr Ralf Klärich, is appointed in December 2009. Mr Mikko Teittinen is appointed as CEO in early 2010. Mr Hertell sells his minority shares in the company to Mr Klärich and Mr Teittinen. The Hertell family retains three seats on the board and the majority of the shares. The market situation slowly improves and business takes off again. In 2010 Bang & Bonsomer invests in equipment and starts a plant in cooperation with Movere Oy in UPM’s pulp factory in Valkeakoski, Finland. The plant starts processing, packing and warehousing chemicals and food and feed additives.
2005
The parent company assumes the name Bang & Bonsomer Group Ab.
2004
The Helsinki warehouse facilities are moved to Kotka, where Bang & Bonsomer to this day has one of Finland’s most modern chemical warehouses.
2000
Bang & Bonsomer now operates in eight countries with a total of 13 offices in addition to its Helsinki headquarters. In July 2000 an office opens in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Bang & Bonsomer has become one of the leading non-Russian distributors of chemicals in the former Soviet Union. Mr Hertell resigns as the Chief Executive Officer of the company and continues as the Chairman of the Board.
1993
After lengthy negotiations Bang & Co. and Bonsomer Ky are merged into Bang & Bonsomer Ab with Mr Hertell as majority shareholder. Mr Hertell recognises the possibilities that exist on the vast market of the former Soviet Union and rapid expansion into the Baltic States and CIS begins.
1991
Bonsomer Ky opens its first foreign office in Tallinn just a few weeks after Estonia regains its independence.
1970s and 1980s
Bonsomer Ky grows strongly on the Finnish market, adding agencies and personnel. In 1979 the founder of Bang & Co, Mr Hans Bang, receives an honorary O.B.E. (the Order of the British Empire) for his contribution to cooperation between the United Kingdom and Finland. Even in his eighties Mr Bang still comes to the office every day, being very much the pillar of the company – now with over a hundred employees.
1966
Mr K.J. Hertell founds Bonsomer Ky, originally a one-man company. The most important principals during the early years are US producers like Morton Chemical (now part of Dow Chemical), Allied Chemical (now part of Honeywell) and Eastman Chemical. These companies are still our partners.
1950s
Bang & Co becomes a leading importer of industrial chemicals to Finland.
1940s
Very shortly after World War II, Bang & Co is the first Finnish company to import plastics from ICI, which becomes one of the most important principals for decades to come.
1930s
In the early days the main products are sulphur, sodium sulphate and china clay for the needs of the growing Finnish paper and pulp industry.
1927
Mr Hans Bang founds Bang & Co. in Helsinki. One of the first principals, the carbon black producer Cabot, is still a partner of ours.
