Linking up Combining strengths

NEWS

Combining strengths

Bayer and Monsanto to create a global leader in agriculture

Bayer and Monsanto have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction.

“We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organisations. This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayer’s leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large,” said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG.

This transaction brings together two different, but highly complementary businesses. The combined business will benefit from Monsanto’s leadership in Seeds & Traits and Climate Corporation platform along with Bayer’s broad Crop Protection product line across a comprehensive range of indications and crops in all key geographies. As a result, growers will benefit from a broad set of solutions to meet their current and future needs, including enhanced solutions in seeds and traits, digital agriculture, and crop protection. Visit: www.bayer.com

NOXERIOR looking forward to new chapter

NOXERIOR has announced that the French company NOVAIR recently became its new 100% owner, which has united two well-known manufacturers in the international industrial gas market with different, but very complementary, activities.

For nearly 40 years, NOVAIR has been active in the field of designing and manufacturing non-cryogenic on-site gas systems, including medical and industrial PSA oxygen & nitrogen generators, air and vacuum units, cylinder filling systems, air & gas boosters and compressors, as well as the design and installation of distribution pipeline systems for compressed gases.

Over the same period, NOXERIOR has specialised in on-site oxygen and nitrogen generators, with focus on the hollow-fibre membrane and the modular PSA technologies, as well as a strong competency in complex engineering projects for EPC customers.

“With the acquisition of NOXERIOR and its 14 international patents and patent applications regarding modular PSA gas separation plants, NOVAIR not only has realised an important technology injection, but has also acquired knowledge and experience with many industrial applications for the on-site generation of nitrogen and oxygen,” comments Oscar de Groen, former owner of NOXERIOR. Visit: www.noxerior.com Defence and security company Saab has acquired the Danish naval company Nordic Defence Industries (NDI). NDI designs and manufactures mine disposal charge systems for the naval defence industry.

The acquisition of NDI develops Saab’s market leadership in the unmanned underwater domain when it comes to regional reach, technology and innovative solutions. This means customers can come to Saab for an end-to-end solution to meet their Mine Counter Measures (MCM) needs to detect, classify, identify and dispose maritime mines.

“With the acquisition we are strengthening our position in the Mine Counter Measures market, building a foundation for continued profitable growth. Our regional footprint will be strengthened as well as our role as a global supplier of Mine Counter Measure solutions,” says Görgen Johansson, head of business area Dynamics.

“With the high tech solutions for mine disposal provided by NDI we will have a product portfolio that covers the total need among our Mine Counter Measure customers.” Visit: www.saabgroup.com

Saab acquires Nordic Defence Industries

Samskip completes Silver Green acquisition

Silver Green AS, owned 50% by Samskip, is changing its name to Silver Sea AS to mark the finalisation of a series of ownership changes. The new name reflects a consolidation by Samskip of its position in the reefer vessel segment, including the strengthening of its ownership in the company and direct investment in reefer vessels. Silver Green AS, based in Bergen, Norway, operates a fleet of 14 reefer vessels. The company is a market leader within its segment, with its primary trading being in the North Atlantic, Baltic, North Sea and Black Sea. Samskip Logistics now owns five reefer vessels.

Silver Green AS was established in 2010 as a joint venture between Silver Sea AS and Green Shipping II AS. Samskip has held a 50% stake in Silver Sea AS since 2002, which it recently sold. Samskip Logistics subsequently finalised acquisition of 50% of shares in Silver Green AS, thereby becoming a 50% shareholder in Silver Green together with Silver Invest (owned by Mr Tormod Fossmark). Visit: www.samskip.com

LINKINGUP

Moelven acquires DLH’s Swedish operations

The acquisition of DLH’s Swedish operations will bring strong growth for Moelven Wood in Sweden. Specifically, it provides a local presence in Skåne and the southern parts of Sweden.

Mikael Axelsson, CEO of Moelven Wood AB, says that the acquisition also provides a strong platform for the further expansion of a cost effective distribution arrangement both for the building materials trade and industrial customers.

“We get the possibility to take over the customer and supplier relationships along with their associated revenue as well as acquiring access to a large and very efficient warehouse that is centrally located in the middle of Skåne,” says Axelsson.

Axelsson says that Moelven’s geographical presence in southern Sweden will now be strengthened considerably. “We will, of course, firstly ensure that we preserve and develop the current values of the existing customer relationships in southern Sweden. But we are already planning to broaden our product range, both in terms of self-produced products and products from external suppliers. In the longer term, we will also be able to offer our customers in southern Sweden a unique package of woodbased construction materials and interior fitting materials from the same supplier,” he says. Visit: www.moelven.com

Mikael Axelsson

MacArtney takes over ASME A/S

MacArtney Underwater Technology Group has acquired the majority holding in Denmark based ASME A/S. ASME A/S designs and manufactures complete systems for the marine offshore, ocean science and renewable energy markets. ASME specialises in PLC and PC based active heave compensated solutions, launch and recovery systems, automated electric and hydraulic turntables and tensioners, electronic control systems and many more specialised systems.

ASME Hydra A/S, a subsidiary company of ASME A/S, designs and manufactures high quality hydraulic cylinders for the offshore market as well as other segments which require high quality materials and welding as well as traceability and documentation.

This strategic acquisition will enable MacArtney to expand its offerings in existing segments as well as new segments through its worldwide operations.

MacArtney Underwater Technology is a privately owned corporation with group headquarters in Esbjerg on the west coast of Denmark. The company has supplied products and engineering solutions for almost four decades. Visit: www.macartney.com

AQ Group acquires Gerdins Industrial System

AQ Group AB has signed an agreement with Gerdins Holding AB to acquire 100% of the shares of Gerdins Industrial System AB with the subsidiaries Gerdins Components Västerås AB, Elektroprim AB, Plåxan AB, Gerdins Components AB, Gerdins Cable Systems AB, Gerdins Cable Systems Sp. z.o.o and Gerdins Nordkomponent AB.

Gerdins Cutting Technology AB with operations in Mjällom is not part of Gerdins Industrial System AB, thus not part of the deal.

Gerdins Industrial System AB is a prominent supplier of components and systems for demanding industrial customers. The company has net sales of about SEK 430 million and employs about 450 people. It has operations in Mjällom, Västerås and Sollefteå in Sweden and in Starogard/Gdanski in Poland.

“The purpose of the acquisition is to extend AQ’s customer base, to broaden our offering in sheet metal processing and to obtain reinforcement in manufacturing of wiring systems. Gerdins has a long history with long-term industrial owners and the company fits well in AQ,” says Claes Mellgren, CEO of AQ Group. Visit: www.aqg.se

Knorr-Bremse to purchase brake friction material specialist ICER Rail

Knorr-Bremse plans to acquire the joint venture ICER Rail in its entirety. Through this move, Knorr-Bremse is extending its position in the field of friction materials – an important, technically demanding part of the braking system. ICER Rail was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between the Spanish Berkelium Group and Knorr-Bremse. Today, it is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of friction materials for rail vehicles. In Pamplona, Spain, the company develops and produces innovative friction materials for almost all railway applications.

“The complete acquisition of ICER Rail is the next logical step for Knorr-Bremse in our rail friction materials strategy,” said Klaus Deller, chairman of the executive board of Knorr- Bremse AG. “Being able to develop braking systems and friction materials from start to finish helps us to further improve the braking effect, cut life cycle costs and reduce noise, benefiting our customers and the environment.” Visit: www.knorr-bremse.com