• Von Roll signs agreement with BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH to acquire full stake in company
WÄDENSWIL/AU, Switzerland, March 8, 2010 -- Von Roll Holding AG, the global market leader in insulation products and services, and one of Switzerland's longest established industrial companies specializing in products and systems for power generation, transmission, and distribution, has signed an agreement with BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH to acquire a full stake in the company. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The sale is expected to go through by 18 March 2010.
Headquartered in Bietigheim-Bissigen, Germany, BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH specializes in water and wastewater treatment. The core competencies of this company, which was founded in 2000, lie in process engineering and project management from consulting right through to turnkey implementation. BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH has expertise in a wide range of areas, which enables it to solve almost any process engineering task in the field of water and wastewater treatment. The company licenses several of its processes in a number of countries. Its global customers include renowned production companies, energy and water suppliers, and local authorities. As part of the additional business segment "Von Roll Water," BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH serves both the industrial and the public water market with a market potential of around CHF 180 billion. The company employs 22 employees and generated sales of around CHF 12 million in 2009.
"With the acquisition of BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH, we are taking our first step into the strategically important market for water and wastewater treatment," said Thomas Limberger, CEO and President of the Board of Directors of Von Roll Holding AG. "This market plays an important role globally and is a new strategically important pillar for our company, one that we will continue to invest in. The fact that BHU has pioneering technologies at its disposal and possesses unique selling points in many areas means that we will share in this growth in the long term. Furthermore, this merger will strengthen our claim to be the leading technology company for key, forward-looking technologies in energy-related sectors."
The acquisition of BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH represents a continuation of Von Roll's existing strategy to expand its business portfolio. It will enable the company to secure its position in the strategically important and profitable water market. The aim of this future strategy is twofold: On the one hand, it aims to intensify activities in existing markets, for example, the power plant and drinking water market, and on the other hand, to tap into new markets, for example seawater treatment. BHU is active in numerous projects across Europe and Asia and is planning further projects in the United States and the Middle East. The integration of the company into Von Roll Holding AG will stimulate synergies in purchasing and sales. By making this acquisition, Von Roll has extended its product and service offering to cater to customers from the energy sector. The fact that the two CEOs of BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH, Reinhold Brenner and Dr. Conrad Hubele, are to remain in their posts will guarantee that their expertise is retained within the Von Roll Group.
"As part of a leading global company, we will enjoy countless opportunities for growth," said Dr. Conrad Hubele, CEO of BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH. "The financial opportunities offered by Von Roll and the global sales and customer network in particular will give us access to major projects, new technologies, and other markets. In the future, we will be able to grow more quickly and to enter new international markets."
For more detailed information on BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH, visit the company website www.bhu-tech.de.
About Von Roll Holding AG
As one of Switzerland's longest established industrial companies, Von Roll focuses on products and systems for power generation, transmission and distribution. Von Roll is the global market leader in insulation products, systems and services and is represented in 19 countries with around 3,100 employees at 30 sites.
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