NEWS
Combining strengths
AAK acquires Unipro in Turkey A
AK, one of the world-leading producers of high value-added vegetable oils and fats, has acquired Unipro from Unilever. Unipro is a leading supplier of oils and fats to the Industrial
and Bakery markets in Turkey and the surrounding region. Founded in 1990 and located in Istanbul, Unipro employs approximately 37 people and had revenues of approximately SEK 700 million in 2012. The acquisition of Unipro includes ten established brands, a core management and sales organisation, all related know-how and the Unipro company name for Bakery and Industrial fats. In connection with the acquisition, AAK has entered a 5-year toll manufacturing agreement with Unilever relating to the supply of Unipro products. “AAK will strengthen its presence in the 16th largest economy in the world which also has a strong real GDP growth. This is AAK’s next step in its strategy of increasing focus on growth markets,” says Torben Friis Lange, senior vice-president AAK. “This acquisition is an integral part of AAK Acceleration, and adds presence in areas which are identified as strategically important,” says Arne Frank, president and CEO, AAK Group. Visit: www.aak.com
SSAB strengthens its presence in Holland
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ardox Wearparts Center Geha Beheer BV (Geha) is acquiring Laverman Holding BV (Laverman) and forming Geha-Laverman. The new company will be a strong, complete supplier with a comprehensive range of wear products and services. In connection with the merger, SSAB – which currently holds a minority stake in Geha – is increasing its shareholding in the new company to 51%. “By combining Geha’s know-how regarding Hardox wearparts and Laverman’s focus on castings, a company is being formed that will possess broad expertise and a complete customer offering,” says Chris Van Beurden,
vice-president Wear Services EMEA. “I see great opportunities for SSAB to further strengthen its presence in the region through an increased stake in the new company.” Geha-Laverman will be a leading supplier of wear products to the demolition and recycling market. The new company will focus primarily on segments such as demolition, waste management, scrap, sand and glass recycling. Bulk materials handling, infrastructure and quarrying will also be core market sectors. The company will have 46 employees. Visit: www.ssab.com
Balfour Beatty sells its UK Facilities Management business
business, its customers and employees, this transaction has achieved good value and will enable us to allocate more resource to target growth sectors and markets in the future.” Operating as Balfour Beatty WorkPlace, the UK FM business is a leading provider of outsourced integrated services and total facilities management solutions with capabilities including facilities manage-
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alfour Beatty has signed a binding agreement to sell its UK facilities management business to GDF Suez Energy Services for approximately £190 million in cash. Commenting on the sale, Andrew McNaughton, CEO of Balfour Beatty, said: “In addition to finding a good new home for the
18 Industry Europe
ABB acquires ring motor business from Alstom
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BB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced the acquisition of Alstom’s ring motor business to enhance its gearless mill drive (GMD) system business. The business, based in Bilbao, Spain, has about 120 employees and will become part of ABB’s Process Automation division. Gearless mill drive systems are used in the mining industry for processing large quantities of ore to extract metals such as copper, gold, platinum, iron and molybdenum. “The acquisition will combine the leading ring motor product from Alstom with ABB’s electrical offering for GMD systems, enabling ABB to enhance its position as a strong vertically-integrated systems provider,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “The acquired expertise and market strength will provide new opportunities for growth.” The ring motor product and ABB’s current electrical offering for GMD systems can only work in combination and are therefore fully complementary. The know-how, experience and technology that this acquisition brings will enable ABB to increase manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the ring motor business. In the long term, end users will enjoy the benefits of ABB’s enhanced product quality control and system performance. Visit: www.abb.com
ment, business process outsourcing and energy services. The business is expected to continue to provide facilities management services to Balfour Beatty’s current portfolio of social infrastructure PPP assets in the UK and to collaborate with the group on the development of its investments in the future. Visit: www.balfourbeatty.com
