NEWS
Combining strengths
Acquisition strengthens Wacker’s Biologics activities
W
ACKER Biotech GmbH, a subsidiary of WACKER Chemie AG, has acquired a production site for bioengineered pharmaceutical proteins (biologics) – including the associated business – from BioNet Ventures GmbH. WACKER’s acquisition covers the assets of Scil Proteins Production at the SCIL site in Halle, eastern Germany, including the patent portfolio. WACKER will be continuing Scil Proteins Production’s existing customer partnerships. The Munich-based chemical group will also retain the SCIL staff. Founded in 2005, Scil Proteins Production has some 80 employees and operates a fermenter in Halle (eastern Germany) with a capacity of up to 1500 litres. Pharmaceutical actives can be produced in this fermenter for clinical trials and for market supply. The protein-refolding expertise held by Scil Proteins Production significantly complements WACKER’s know-how in its role as a full-service provider for the microbial manufacture of biologics. For proteins that cannot be produced in an active form in bacterial cells, refolding is a key technology in order to achieve the desired protein in the active form. Visit: www.wacker.com
Rejlers acquires engineering company in Finland
R
ejlers has acquired Sähköinsinööritoimisto Matti Leppä Oy. The acquisition strengthens Rejler’s expertise in the fields of Building and Property. The company has 20 employees in Turku, Finland. “The company will be integrated into Rejlers’ business, offering services to clients in Building and Property. This acquisition is consistent with Rejlers’ strategy to strengthen all its customer groups and it gives us a stronger position in the growing cities in Finland,” says Eva Nygren, president and CEO at Rejlers. Sähköinsinööritoimisto Matti Leppä Oy, founded in 1955 and based at Turku, is a company offering services within building service systems. Its revenue in 2012 was €1.8 million and it has 20 employees. The company will be consolidated as of 1 November 2013. Visit: www.reijers.se
Mekonomen enters cooperation agreement with Inter Cars
M
ekonomen has entered a cooperation agreement with the Polish company Inter Cars, which has a leading market position in eastern Europe. Mekonomen and Inter Cars will cooperate in the area of purchasing and logistics from the Far East, and co-own a product testing centre in Warsaw.
16 Industry Europe
Trelleborg takes over industrial tire distributor T relleborg has, through its business area Trelleborg Wheel Systems, signed an agreement to acquire the industrial tire business of the Italian company Pircher Alfred s.a.s. The business specialises in the distribution and service of industrial tires, such as those fitted on forklift trucks. The acquisition further strengthens and enlarges Trelleborg’s European industrial tire distribution network. The acquired business has distribution and service centres located in Milan and Bologna, Italy. Sales in 2012 amounted to approximately SEK 75 million. This bolt-on acquisition is part of Trelleborg’s strategy to strengthen its positions in attractive and profitable market segments. “The focus of globally leading forklift manufacturers is increasingly shifting toward expanding their presence in local markets. This trend suits our business and we see the potential to successfully develop and expand our Interfit service concept for industrial tires. The acquired operation commands a strong position in the Italian market and has solid
profitability. The transaction will strengthen our capabilities across the supply chain, from manufacturing to service of industrial tires,” says Maurizio Vischi, president of the Trelleborg Wheel Systems business area. Visit: www.trelleborg.com
Inter Cars is the biggest importer and distributor of automotive spare parts for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Poland and eastern Europe, with a presence in 11 countries. “We are very happy to announce this cooperation, which will provide both companies with advantages in our respective markets – a true win-win situation,” says
Marcus Larsson, executive vice-president Mekonomen Group. “Both companies are market leaders in their regions. Close cooperation will help us to optimise several processes, such as purchasing, logistics and testing of products sourced from these countries,” says Robert Kierzek, president and CEO, Inter Cars. Visit: www.mekonomen.se
