Stronger together: LOBA GmbH and WAKOL GmbH, two premium manufacturers of surface finishing solutions and flooring installation materials, are further deepening their strategic partnership. Effective January 15, 2026, they have established a unified, cross-company management structure.

LOBA and WAKOL are positioning themselves as one team. Their long-standing successful collaboration, together with a careful review of potential synergies, provides a strong foundation for this new setup. Based on these findings, the construction chemicals specialists from Ditzingen and Pirmasens, Germany, have defined a shared goal: “As one team, we aim to bring our expertise and strengths together. We are positioning ourselves strategically and organizationally for the future while strengthening our market position for the long term,” explains Dr. Martin Schäfer, CEO of the internationally active LOBA WAKOL Group. With this decision, the Group is aligning for further joint growth under the umbrella of the ARDEX Group.

One joint presence — two independent product brands

LOBA and WAKOL are intensifying their joint market activities. „We are continuing to expand our personal, on-site support for customers—providing more comprehensive assistance from subfloor preparation through surface treatment,” emphasizes Mario Probst, Managing Director for Sales and Marketing, who previously led these areas at LOBA.

The well-established LOBA and WAKOL product brands will remain independent. Their familiar brand identities—the orange raven logo and the blue square—along with their product portfolios, which complement each other perfectly, will remain unchanged.

Since 1998, flooring contractors have benefited from the close collaboration between the two companies, including LOBA WAKOL hands-on seminars, in-depth workshops, and joint trade show appearances.

At the product level, the Group can also look back on many years of successful cooperation: with LOBA WAKOL – Connected Systems, professional users have had access since 2007 to tested and proven system solutions from a single source. Product combinations are precisely coordinated from the development stage onward and stand out for their high level of application reliability.

Management, team, and network

In Germany, the unified joint management of LOBA GmbH and WAKOL GmbH consists of Dr. Martin Schäfer (CEO), Mario Probst (Sales and Marketing), Steffen Acker (Production), and Martin Eichel (CFO)—all of whom were already part of the previous management teams of both companies.

LOBA and WAKOL will continue to rely on their entire workforce: “All of our employees—whether in Ditzingen, Pirmasens, or around the world—have secure jobs,” stresses Mario Probst. “Together, we are increasing efficiency and innovative strength, and with the same team size we will be able to achieve significantly more.”

The LOBA WAKOL Group includes international subsidiaries in Brazil, China, North America, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and more. Global partnerships also exist with other companies within the ARDEX Group as well as with an extensive network of third-party organizations.

About the LOBA WAKOL Group

Technical excellence, high-quality products, and a strong customer focus are key factors behind the success of the LOBA WAKOL Group, which employs around 430 people worldwide. Since 2024, it has been part of the internationally active ARDEX Group, which employs around 4,300 people in more than 50 countries and generates annual revenue of approximately EUR 1.1 billion.

With its Professional business unit, LOBA stands for premium systems for the design, finishing, and care of parquet and wood floors. Products for coating resilient and mineral floor coverings expand the portfolio flooring contractors and installers. Two additional business units—Industrial and Home—serve engineered wood flooring manufacturers with industrial coatings and provide end consumers with cleaning and care products for surfaces.

In its installation materials business unit, WAKOL is known for first-class products for the flooring industry. Other successful business areas include industrial adhesives for the upholstered furniture and mattress industries, as well as sealing compounds, including for the food industry.

Press relations:

Wiebke Ullmann

LOBA GmbH

Leonberger Str. 56–62

D-71254 Ditzingen

M: +49 174 34 88 163

Email: wiebke.ullmann@loba.de

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