NEWS
Combining strengths
ASSA ABLOY purchases Mercor’s fire doors business
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SSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire Mercor SA’s fire doors business. Mercor SA is a leading Polish manufacturer of security and fire doors in eastern Europe, with a strong position in its key domestic markets in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. “I am very pleased to welcome Mercor SA’s fire doors business into the ASSA ABLOY Group. The acquisition represents another important step in our strategy to grow market presence in emerging markets,” says Johan Molin, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. “Mercor’s fire doors business is an attractive addition to the EMEA division, as part of our strategy to offer complete door opening solutions to our customers. It will also significantly reinforce our market position in eastern Europe,” says Tzachi Wiesenfeld, executive vice-president of ASSA ABLOY and head of the EMEA Division. The acquired business was founded in 1988 and is based in Gdansk, Poland with operations in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and export to several other European countries. The company employs 550 people. Visit: www.assaabloy.com
Tzachi Wiesenfeld
Canadian acquisition strengthens Spiroflow’s global position Sandvik acquires TechnoPartner
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piroflow Ltd, world-leading manufacturer of conveying and weighing systems, has strengthened its global offering with the acquisition of Canadian bulk materials handling specialist Control & Metering, based in Mississauga, Ontario.
MEDA acquires US respiratory company
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eda has signed an agreement to acquire the US development company Acton Pharmaceuticals Inc., including the proprietary product Aerospan. Aerospan is an inhaler for the treatment of asthma that contains the active substance Flunisolide. The product is approved by the FDA and has shown in clini-
18 Industry Europe
The assets of Control & Metering were acquired through Spiroflow Systems, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of UK-based Spiroflow Ltd. The deal has not only facilitated the retention of many highlyexperienced personnel, but has also enhanced Spiroflow’s global position through ownership of Control & Metering’s patented Bulk Bag Filling and Discharging technology. Control & Metering was established in 1937, specialising in dry bulk solids handling equipment and systems. In the 1980s the company was one of the first in North America to manufacture bulk bag fillers and unloaders, pioneering technology taken for granted today. Spiroflow Ltd is a manufacturer of Flexible Screw Conveyors, Aero Mechanical Conveyors, Tubular Cable and Chain Drag Conveyors, Vacuum Conveyors, Bulk Bag Dischargers, Bulk Bag Fillers, Ingredients Handling and Weighing Systems. The company’s technical and engineering expertise has led to it develop an international reputation for an unrivalled range of products with state-of-theart control systems. Visit: www.spiroflow.com cal studies to have a high deposition of active drug in the airways as a result of a built-in inhalation chamber (called a ‘spacer’). The launch of Aerospan is planned for the beginning of 2014. The total US market for inhaled asthma products containing a mono-corticosteroid is estimated at 2 billion USD. The use of spacers is increasing very rapidly. In some markets, more
Samtronic GmbH
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andvik Venture has acquired the German company TechnoPartner Samtronic GmbH, (TPS), a manufacturer of scattering machines and double belt presses. The company’s core capabilities are reinforced Teflon belt-based double belt press machines. TPS offer consists of new equipment, feed/scattering units and service and spare parts. The acquisition further strengthens Sandvik’s position in the composites segment. In turn, this will strengthen Sandvik’s total customer offering and growth possibilities. In 2012, TPS had sales of approximately €13 million, with about 35 employees. The head office and manufacturing facilities are based in Göppingen, Germany. “The acquisition is in line with Sandvik’s longterm strategy for profitable growth. Through the acquisition, we intend to further develop and strengthen the global business for these products in the composites segment,” says Tomas Nordahl, president of Sandvik Venture. Visit: www.sandvik.com than one third of patients who use inhaled corticosteroids also use a spacer. Aerospan is the only product registered in the US market with a built-in spacer. “The acquisition of Acton is a unique opportunity to gain access to a newly registered product in the US market,” says Anders Lönner, CEO of Meda AB. Visit: www.meda.se
