ENGINEERING TECH,CONSTRUCTION
SAUERESSIG Group | August 18, 2022
Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: MATW) announced today that the Company has closed on the previously-announced acquisitions of German based engineering firms, OLBRICH GmbH (“OLBRICH”) and R+S Automotive GmbH (“R+S Automotive”), for EUR €43 million (approximately U.S. $45 million).
Headquartered in Bocholt, Germany, OLBRICH is a production and intelligent equipment manufacturer, specializing in purpose-built rotary processing equipment, including equipment used in the manufacturing of dry and wet electrodes for lithium-ion batteries uses in electric vehicles and components for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers, with additional strong positions in Specialty & Pharma, Packaging and Home & Décor. R+S Automotive is a specialty engineering services provider of automation, plant and tooling concepts for automotive manufacturing companies around the world. The Company plans to integrate OLBRICH and R+S Automotive with its Saueressig Engineering and Energy business, part of its Industrial Technologies segment focused on high-precision engineering for a broad range of industrial automation applications including high-tech custom energy solutions, surfaces, marking, and coding systems.
Joseph C. Bartolacci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matthews International, stated, “We are extremely excited to acquire OLBRICH and R+S Automotive as part of our long-term strategy to offer an extended portfolio of purpose-built engineered equipment and services for the burgeoning electric vehicle and broader green energy market. Our combined capabilities offer innovative solutions to accelerate development of an end-to-end solution for dry-electrode battery production and other energy solutions. Together, our offering will have significant impact on the mass market adoption of electric vehicles and benefit the entire energy solutions industry. This strategic acquisition continues our investment in technologies and accelerates commercializing new innovations across multiple industrial automation applications.”
“Matthews is the right partner for our future, OLBRICH, like Matthews, is making great strides in helping to scale up the manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cell components. With OLBRICH’s recent order for a mass production line for gas diffusion layers (GDL), and Matthews’ strength in the field of bipolar plates, our combined portfolio is well positioned to create a market force not only as a supplier to OEMs but also as a key production partner across Energy, Specialty & Pharma, Packaging and Home Décor.”
-Bastian Kuhl, CEO of OLBRICH and R+S Automotive.
With the acquisition of OLBRICH and R+S Automotive, Matthews International expands its global presence and solidifies itself as a key player in the energy solutions sector.
About Matthews International Corporation:
Matthews International Corporation is a global provider of industrial technologies, memorialization products and brand solutions. The Industrial Technologies segment designs, manufactures, services and distributes high-tech custom energy storage, marking, coding and industrial automation technologies and solutions. The Memorialization segment is a leading provider of memorialization products, including memorials, caskets and cremation and incineration equipment, primarily to cemetery and funeral home customers that help families move from grief to remembrance. The SGK Brand Solutions segment is a leading provider of packaging solutions and brand experiences, helping companies simplify their marketing, amplify their brands and provide value. The Company has approximately 11,000 employees in more than 26 countries on six continents that are committed to delivering the highest quality products and services.
About SAUERESSIG Group:
SAUERESSIG Group brings together the business units packaging, elastomers, surfaces, engineering, rollers and e.GEN under a common umbrella brand. As a leading international supplier along the pre-press stage as well as of rotary tools for gravure and flexographic printing processes, embossing rollers and cutting and creasing tools, SAUERESSIG Group offers a comprehensive expertise. SAUERESSIG works on forward-looking research projects and invests in the development of intelligent workflows and digital solutions. As an innovator for special machine construction in the field of future oriented battery and energy storage technology, individual solutions are developed for pioneers of tomorrow. Brand manufacturer, printers and converters as well as renowned manufacturers of modern energy storage technologies benefit from solution-oriented innovations, decades of experience and maximum flexibility. Within currently 13 production sites SAUERESSIG Group has a strong global network. Worldwide presence enables an optimal development, implementation and support of international projects at any time.
About OLBRICH:
OLBRICH GmbH was founded in 1949 and together with its brand Polytype Converting®, the machine builder has today become one of the world's leading companies in the field of production machinery and equipment for the manufacture of web-shaped products. Battery foils, labels, release materials, sustainable paper and packaging materials as well as wallcoverings, floorcoverings, adhesive tapes and technical textiles are exemplary products manufactured on the lines. OLBRICH has a full value chain including engineering and manufacturing as well as state-of-the-art technical centers in Bocholt (DE) and Fribourg (CH). Today, OLBRICH has approximately 450 employees. OLBRICH is headquartered in Bocholt (DE) and has additional locations in Hamburg (DE), Fribourg (CH) and Jiangyin City (CN).
About R+S Automotive:
R+S Automotive GmbH is an important manufacturer of machines and tools for the production of interior and exterior components for the automotive industry, such as door panels, dashboards or rear shelves. R+S Automotive has a fully integrated value chain including engineering and production as well as a technical center on an area of 1,100 sqm designed to support comprehensive technical services and customer-oriented development. Today, R+S Automotive has approximately 350 employees. R+S Automotive is headquartered in Bocholt (DE) and has additional subsidiaries in Holoubkov (CZ), Jiangyin (CN), and Comstock Park, MI (USA).
Read More
SAFETY AND REGULATION,ENGINEERING TECH
Trimble | August 12, 2022
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today data integrity monitoring for its precise point positioning (PPP) correction service, CenterPoint® RTX Fast. The Trimble RTX Integrity™ monitoring system is an innovative, patented solution, built in direct response to client requirements for production-ready applications. It continuously validates the reliability of correction data processed by the network, which is broadcast to users in the agriculture, geospatial, construction and automotive industries, ensuring positioning data is right the first time.
Through a unique two-step process, the Trimble RTX Integrity system verifies the integrity of GNSS data received from satellites and filters faulty information in the network server before the data is broadcast. A secondary post-broadcast check is conducted on the entire data transmission process where additional errors may be detected and removed. The integrity monitoring system is fully automated and reacts in seconds to detect, isolate and block faulty data to provide even more highly accurate and reliable positioning.
Trimble RTX Integrity is comprised of independent monitoring stations strategically positioned across RTX Fast networks in the United States, southern Canada and across Europe. These stations continuously monitor data output during multiple stages of the Trimble RTX positioning process. Any suspicious satellite data is removed during the integrity protection process and positioning is calculated using only validated data.
Trimble Alloy™ GNSS reference receivers power the independent monitoring stations using redundant internet connectivity for added reliability. To date, no other positioning network offers the same level of data integrity validation across such expansive, contiguous geographies.
Trimble RTX Integrity monitoring system was developed in accordance with Automotive Software Performance Improvement and Capability dEtermination (ASPICE) and ISO 26262 automotive safety standards, making it easy to integrate into major automotive manufacturers' autonomous driving systems. Trimble RTX Integrity can also be used by Trimble's customers in the agriculture, geospatial and construction industries to ensure correction stream integrity and reliability for applications such as machine control and high-accuracy surveying applications.
"Trimble remains committed to exceeding expectations by providing accurate corrections to our customers to support safety-critical and other day-to-day applications, Implementing additional checks and balances to ensure our data is authenticated, trustworthy and accurate is of paramount importance to maintaining the integrity of our RTX network and instilling confidence with our users that the data is correct."
-Patricia Boothe, SVP of autonomy, Trimble.
About Trimble Autonomy:
Trimble Autonomy delivers leading positioning and orientation technology to major industrial markets worldwide. This approach to autonomy is built on decades of engineering expertise, system intelligence and field-proven solutions, covering billions of acres and millions of miles. Trimble's autonomous technology enables advanced action in any environment, designed to meet the unique needs of our customers no matter where they are on their autonomy journey.
About Trimble:
Trimble is an industrial technology company transforming the way the world works by delivering solutions that enable our customers to thrive. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble is transforming industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation.
Read More
ENGINEERING TECH,CONSTRUCTION
Sciens Building Solutions | August 12, 2022
Sciens Building Solutions ("Sciens") today announced it has acquired San Antonio, Texas-based Fire Alarm Control Systems, Inc. ("FACS").
In a string of successful acquisitions, this is another that Sciens has made since being established in 2016 to pursue an invest-and-grow strategy in the fire detection and integrated solutions sector. As Sciens continues on its rapid growth trajectory, the company plans to establish an expanded presence in the state of Texas, starting with FACS in the south-central region.
"The approach Sciens has taken, and the great companies it has chosen to partner with, is a true testament to the infinite potential of this platform and what it brings to the important fire-life safety industry, We are proud to be part of the ongoing growth Sciens has experienced – and will continue to experience – as it will bring an even higher level of customer service, cross-collaboration, and employee opportunities for the FACS family."
-Duane Hannasch, president of FACS, who will remain in his current role.
Fire Alarm Control Systems, Inc. was founded in 1995 as a small business, with operations in the San Antonio and South Texas areas, with a primary focus on the provision of fire alarm and voice communication systems for commercial, educational, and federal government facilities. FACS has since expanded its expertise to include intercom, public address, and mass notification systems.
Duane Hannasch and Joe Ebrom run the company. Duane has over 35 years of experience in the life safety industry and has been involved with many projects providing solutions for high-profile facilities at the area's military bases. Joe joined the FACS team in 1997 as Vice President and Partner and brought an expanded customer base to the company. Prior, Joe held positions as branch manager and regional manager of major manufacturing companies in the life safety industries.
"Our entry into Texas kicks off with the phenomenal team at FACS in San Antonio and its tremendous leaders in Duane and Joe, The addition of this first-class company allows us to make our mark in a new region, where we will continue to expand our statewide and national presence whilst on this exciting, growth-focused journey."
-Terry Heath, Chief Executive Officer Sciens.
About Sciens Building Solutions:
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and backed by The Carlyle Group, Sciens Building Solutions is a holding company focused on the fire detection and security services sector. This includes the design, installation, and provision of maintenance services for fire detection and clean agent fire suppression systems in a variety of commercial, institutional, and government facilities.
About Fire Alarm Control Systems:
Fire Alarm Control Systems, Inc. was founded in 1995 as a small business and operates in the San Antonio and South Texas areas. With its primary focus on providing fire alarm and voice communication systems for commercial, educational, and federal government facilities, FACS has expanded its expertise in intercom, public address, and mass notification systems. The company has on staff two state-licensed planners – one NICET Level IV-certified and one NICET Level III-certified – with over 60 combined years of experience. Every fire technician at FACS is state-licensed and factory-trained with several also being NICET II-certified.
Read More