The Belgian manufacturer of construction materials ETEX (turnover of EUR 2.675 billion in 1999) acquired GPS - GLYNWED PIPE SYSTEMS (turnover of GBP 721.2 million in 1999), the "plastics" division of GLYNWED, for GBP 786 million in cash. After the operation the staff of the Belgian group will increase from 25,000 to 31,650 people. Severed from 75% of its activities, GLYNWED will rename itself AGA FOODSERVICES GROUP.