L.M. Scofield acquisition fuels Sika’s drive in North America




One of Scofield’s most recent additions to the Chromix Admixture series for integral concrete coloring is Naturescapes. Each of nine offerings is pigmented to reflect soils’ or plants’ darker, more recessive color schemes.

The Swiss parent of Sika Corp. has closed on a forerunner in value-added flatwork, billing Los Angeles-based L.M. Scofield Co. as “a 100-year-old, family-owned company long established as the number one brand of concrete color additives and decorative products in North America.”

“The acquisition of L.M. Scofield further accelerates our growth strategy, [and] provides us with a proven, industry leader in colors for new concrete and refurbishment,” says Sika Regional Manager, North America Christoph Ganz. With strategic production in Los Angeles and Atlanta, he adds, L.M. Scofield offers a complete range of color solution products that are highly regarded and widely specified.

The deal continues Sika’s stepped up North American market development, as reflected in last year’s acquisition of California mortar producer BMI, plus the 2014-15 opening of mortar and admixture plants in Atlanta, Denver, Philadelphia, and Vancouver, B.C. The latter includes a modular mortar plant; blending equipment for a wide range of concrete admixtures; quality control laboratory; warehouse; plus, office space for administrative and sales personnel. It positions Sika for the Pacific Northwest market, especially the Vancouver, Seattle and Portland population centers.

Like the other three facilities, the British Columbia site is part of a NAFTA region supply chain strategy expanding production capacities in “conurbations” and major cities. “Local production will be very beneficial to customers in the region by providing improved product availability, reduced lead times and faster deliveries,” affirms Ganz. “Eliminating the cost of shipping products from Edmonton and Montreal plants and using locally sourced raw materials will enable us to optimize our cost structure.”