In an exclusive Q&A, Marlene Morin, senior director of floor covering at Sika Corporation, details the company's complete acquisition of Schonox HPS North America, which was announced on March 5, 2025. The move represents the culmination of a relationship that began over a decade ago when Sika first acquired Schonox Germany in 2013. With this strategic acquisition, Sika positions itself as one of the preeminent single-source providers of comprehensive flooring installation solutions for both residential and commercial projects, offering enhanced warranty systems from a unified supplier.

Floor Trends & Installation: Describe the history of Sika and Schönox.

Marlene Morin: Sika and Schönox have always been a logical fit with a long history together that dates back over a decade when Sika first acquired Schonox (GmbH) Germany in 2013. The acquisition of SchönoxHPS Noth American was part of a natural progression that ensued over time.

The previous Schönox management team was very successful and put the company in an advantageous position to be prosperous for many years to come. With a significant acquisition of this nature, we feel it is incumbent upon us to continue adding to the story and success the Schönox brand and company have enjoyed over time. The new team members coming over to Sika played a big role in that success and we are thrilled to have them on board.

Schönox is a major player and leader in subfloor surface preparation products, especially in commercial applications and this acquisition has now catapulted Sika to become one of the preeminent single-source providers of full-system flooring installation solutions for residential and commercial projects. Thus, allowing customers to secure an enhanced warranty provided by one supplier.

Fully consolidating this business under Sika's ownership will provide exciting cross-selling opportunities in the building finishing market segment and, subsequently, the floor covering industry, bringing with it significant efficiency gains in logistics and production.

Floor Trends & Installation: Why acquire Schönox now?

Morin: Since the acquisition of Parex in 2018, Sika has continuously increased its presence in the building finishing segment in the U.S. By acquiring HPS, Sika will further expand its position in this growing market segment. Specifically, Schönox is a major player and leader in subfloor surface preparation products, especially in commercial applications and this acquisition has now catapulted Sika to become one of the preeminent single-source providers of full-system flooring installation solutions for residential and commercial projects. Thus allowing customers to secure an enhanced warranty provided by one supplier.

Sika customers will now reap the benefits of having a globally recognized installation solution provider and a subfloor surface prep powerhouse provide fully comprehensive, high-tech, problem-solving installation solutions from a single-source entity. We are excited to start working together to offer our customers the highest level of support and product innovation to help them be successful and grow their businesses.

Sika is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, and began ramping up its U.S. expansion efforts for the floor-covering industry in 2021 with the purchase of DriTac Flooring Products.

Floor Trends & Installation: How does Schönox complement Sika's portfolio?

Morin: The Schönox product portfolio is the ideal complement to Sika’s existing product line-up. Schonox allows Sika to offer a full array of subfloor preparation solutions that include cementitious and synthetic-based products and waterproofing solutions. As a leader in this market segment, the Schonox brand delivers a significant upgrade in providing these installation solutions to the trade.

Floor Trends & Installation: How does the deal affect Schönox’s existing distribution partnerships?

Morin: Sika has now taken full ownership of Schönox HPS North America and will be able to provide enhanced value to all existing Schonox customers through its logistical prowess, nationwide warehousing accessibility and ability to offer enhanced warranty systems from a single-source entity.

Floor Trends & Installation: Will the Schönox brand continue?

Morin: After a decade-plus since the initial purchase in 2013, the Schönox brand still exists and thrives in Germany and the brand continuity here in the U.S. provides a clear path forward. We intend to capitalize on the opportunity to continue growing the Schönox brand by investing further and adding capacity to Sika’s largest production facility which is set to open in the Northeast during 2025. Schönox products will have a new home at this mega-facility that is heavily focused on producing cement-based solutions and mortars.

Floor Trends & Installation: What's your business outlook for 2025?

Morin: We are ecstatic about the prospects of combining synergies from two powerhouse portfolios to afford contractors and installers an enhanced warranty from a single-source supplier. This addition alone will significantly add to Sika’s bottom line for the duration of 2025 and many years to come.

With this enhanced capability and offering to our customers and the marketplace, we expect an increased level of interest from contractors seeking to add value and protection for their businesses, which we anticipate will help us increase market share.

Additionally, we are anticipating that this may be coupled with a potential rebound for several sectors of the construction industry for the second half of 2025, including the remodel replacement segment. After a somewhat sluggish start overall, there are some indications that the Q3 and Q4 of this year will start to trend in a more favorable direction for the flooring industry.