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Combining strengths
Aker Solutions acquires Opus
Solvay to acquire US-based Chemlogics
Aker Solutions has acquired a specialist processing company called Opus Maxim Ltd (Opus), headquartered in the UK. This is an acquisition targeted at strengthening its technology portfolio in the process systems segment. Opus is a leader in oil/water separation and produced water treatment, with particular expertise in modifying and enhancing ageing oil and produced water processing systems.
Opus, which has around 40 employees in Guildford and the Orkney island of Flotta, has developed in-house technologies and solutions, which it offers to the global market. In Orkney, it has established unique testing facilities, which enable accurate simulation and modelling of fluids generated during oil and gas production. It also enables customers to determine the optimum oil/ water separation and produced water treatment solution specific to an oil company’s reservoir.
“The purchase of Opus will significantly enhance our process systems technology portfolio,” says David Merle, head of Aker Solutions’ process systems business. “We have ambitious plans to increase growth in the process systems business, and strengthening our existing produced water treatment, R&D testing facilities and environmental services capability are important steps on that journey.” Visit: www.akersolutions.com AS part of its ongoing transformation, Solvay has signed an agreement to acquire privately-held Chemlogics for a total cash consideration of $1.345 billion. Adding the US-based company to Solvay’s Novecare business unit will create a leader with an extensive portfolio of tailored chemical solutions for the fast-growing oil & gas market, serving stimulation, cementing, production and water management applications.
For Solvay Novecare, this acquisition will yield significant synergies thanks to a comprehensive offering of innovative products and technologies which enables oilfield service players worldwide to competitively and safely extract oil and gas while reducing water consumption. Chemlogics has shown annual double-digit EBITDA growth over the past five years, thanks to a fast-paced innovation model combined with a strong knowhow and closeness to customers.
“This acquisition accelerates Solvay’s ongoing transformation towards an innovative chemical solution provider focused on high growth and strong margin businesses with a more balanced geographical and market presence,” said JeanPierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay. “Our expansion in the energy sector builds on our strategy to provide differentiated solutions addressing the sustainability challenges that society faces with an increasing number of consumers and scarce resources.” Visit: www.solvay.com
PressureFab purchases RT Metals
Dundee-based PressureFab has announced its acquisition of Arbroath stainless steel manufacturer RT Metal Services Limited. PressureFab is a leading designer and fabricator of specialist certified offshore equipment, such as containers, topside modules, reelers, tanks, filtration systems and modular systems, for use in the oil and gas industry.
Hermann Twickler, managing director of PressureFab, said: “We welcome the addition of RT Metal Services to our group of companies. We are confident that this will open up opportunities with new and current customers for the manufacture of piping and vessels from stainless steel, duplex and inconel materials.
Reaching an annual turnover of nearly £6 million in 2012, PressureFab has more than doubled year on year since its inception. The acquisition of RT Metal Services represents PressureFab’s diversified strategy to grow the company through acquisitions in addition to its own rapid organic growth. Visit: www.pressurefab.com
ASSA ABLOY acquires two Chinese fire and security door manufacturers
ASSA ABLOY has signed agreements to acquire two leading fire-rated and security door manufacturers, Xinmao and Huasheng. Xinmao and Huasheng are in the Heilongjiang and Shandong provinces in north-eastern and eastern China respectively.
“I am very pleased that Xinmao and Huasheng are joining the ASSA ABLOY Group. The acquisitions of Xinmao and Huasheng represent another important step in our strategy to grow market presence in China and other emerging markets,” says Johan Molin, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.
“Xinmao and Huasheng are great additions to the ASSA ABLOY Asia Pacific division. They complement very well our existing fire-rated door product offering in China, both geographically and commercially. It will also be beneficial to our key account management in the area,” says Jonas Persson, executive vice-president of ASSA ABLOY and head of division Asia Pacific. Visit: www.assabloy.com
LINKINGUP
JF Hillebrand Benelux takes over Meerendonk Advanced Logistics
JF Hillebrand Benelux has announced an agreement with Meerendonk Advanced Logistics for the acquisition of all activities in the Netherlands and Belgium. Through this acquisition JF Hillebrand strengthens its dedicated wine and beverage logistics services in the Benelux.
“The acquisition of Meerendonk Advanced Logistics is a big step forward for JF Hillebrand,” said Hans Schipper, managing director of JF Hillebrand Benelux. “There are a great many synergies between our businesses, with many of their activities seamlessly connecting to our activities. In addition, their expertise in areas such as customs clearance will be a great extension of our service portfolio.” Meerendonk Advanced Logistics was founded in 1985 by current owner Michel van den Meerendonk, and has offices in Ridderkerk and Antwerp. The company has wide expertise in the import of wine for both importers and retailers, and is fully customs and AEO compliant. Visit: www.jfhillebrand.com
Atlas Copco completes acquisition of Synatec
Atlas Copco, a leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, has closed the acquisition of Synatec, which provides quality improvement solutions mainly to the automotive industry.
Synatec, based near Stuttgart, Germany, provides products and solutions to improve flexibility and quality for manufacturing companies’ workplace operations, operator guidance, as well as data collection and analysis. The company has 120 employees and had revenue in 2012 of €12 million (SEK 105 million). The acquired business is now part of Atlas Copco’s MVI Tools and Assembly Systems division in the Industrial Technique business area. Atlas Copco announced on 20 September 2013 that it had agreed to purchase Synatec. Visit: www.atlascopco.com Clariant, a world leader in speciality chemicals, has acquired the Organic Pigment business of Jiangsu Multicolor Fine Chemical Co. Ltd (JMC) based in Jiangsu Province, PRC. JMC is a leading supplier of several types of high performance pigments and pigment preparations in China. The business recorded sales of RMB 210 million (approximately CHF 30 million). It manufactures and markets pigments and pigment preparations mainly for customers in coatings, plastics and printing inks in the domestic and export markets.
The bolt-on acquisition allows Clariant to expand its pigments and pigment preparation activities in China in order to have better access to customers in the region and especially in China.
“The acquistion of the Jiangsu Multicolor Business and the investment in a world scale pigment plant in Zhenjiang will consolidate our position as a leader in the pigments industry and it is in line with Clariant’s strategy of taking advantage of growth opportunities in Asia,” says Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant. Visit: www.clariant.com
Yanmar and Manitou strengthen their strategic alliance
Yanmar has acquired 6.26% of the capital and voting rights of Manitou BF. This comes as the two groups enhance their strategic alliance, expanding cross distribution into Mexico and Latin America.
In January 2012, Manitou and Yanmar announced the signing of a strategic alliance in North America for which the initial results have been very positive. Manitou Americas, throughout North America, distributes Yanmar’s compact excavators under the Gehl and Mustang brand names while Yanmar America distributes Compact Equipment skid steers and track loaders under its brand name.
The arrival of Yanmar as a Manitou shareholder embodies its will to strengthen its industrial and commercial partnerships over the long-term. “To include Yanmar among the shareholders that accompany and support our development is proof of the solidity of our industrial and familial model and its growth potential,” stated Dominique Bamas, president & CEO of Manitou. Visit: www.manitou.com
