FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of July, 2003
Intertape Polymer Group Inc.
110E Montee de Liesse, St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, H4T 1N4
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or
will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F Form 40-F X
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by
furnishing the information contained in this Form is also
thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant
to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.]
Yes No X
[If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number
assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82-______
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP INC.
Date: July 14, 2003 By: /S/ Andrew M. Archibald
Andrew M. Archibald, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary,
and Vice President, Administration
INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP INC. COMPLETES BUY OUT OF OTHER COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
IN PORTUGAL OPERATION AS BASE FOR EUROPEAN MARKET GROWTH
BRADENTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2003--Intertape Polymer Group Inc.
(NYSE:ITP - News; TSX:ITP - News) today announced the Company has purchased
fifty percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Fibope
Portuguesa-Filmes Biorientados S.A., a corporation organized under the laws
of Portugal ("Fibope"). Intertape Polymer Group Inc. ("IPG") now owns all of
the issued and outstanding common shares of Fibope.
Fibope is a manufacturer and distributor of shrink film based in Portugal
that was established seven years ago. IPG Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Melbourne F. Yull said: "This acquisition will enable us to take
full advantage in Europe of our advanced technology in the shrink film
sector. By consolidating ownership in the Portuguese operation under IPG,
we will now have effective control of the manufacture and distribution of
products, which we expect to lead to better and faster growth in Europe.
Furthermore, we feel this is an excellent opportunity to create a platform
to manufacture our pressure-sensitive performance products for distribution
in the European market."
About Intertape Polymer Group
Intertape Polymer Group is a recognized leader in the development and
manufacture of specialized polyolefin plastic and paper based packaging
products and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use.
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec and Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida, the
Company employs approximately 2,600 employees with operations in 19
locations, including 15 manufacturing facilities in North America and one
in Europe.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements and information included in this release constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which
may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company
to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
Additional discussion of factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from management's projections, estimates and
expectations is contained in the Company's SEC filings. The Company
undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements, including its
earnings outlook.
Contact:
Intertape Polymer Group Inc.
Melbourne F. Yull, 866-202-4713
E-mail:itp$info@intertapeipg.com
Web: www.intertapepolymer.com