Manufacturing

The owners of Swedish-based Scancon Group chose BCMS Corporate’s Scandinavian office to handle their company’s sale. BCMS employee Bars Berglund managed the project, assisted by his colleague Göran Porse. Due to the complexity of the Scancon Group and the impact of the present world financial situation on some potential buyers, the process time was more prolonged than usual. From being awarded the sales mandate to completion took close to 24 months; nevertheless, the completion of this deal and many others over the last three months confirms that buyers are active and that good companies, when taken to market via the comprehensive and highly effective BCMS Corporate process, are still very attractive. In fact, as is normal for a BCMS Corporate assisted sale, the final sale price achieved for Scancon was more than double the first bid received. Ultimately, the Finnish Empower Group, with 3000 employees, acquired all shares in Scancon Group, with three companies and 250 employees.

“We wanted to strengthen Scancon’s position in Sweden, Finland, and Norway. The now contracted merger into Empower Group was regarded as the best option to implement this growth strategy. By this change, we also extend Scancon’s expertise to services for pulp and paper industry segments”, said Bengt Öhrblad and Gunnar Spolander, the main shareholders of Scancon Group.

Empower has also enthusiastically expressed its full satisfaction with BCMS Corporate’s work. “Empower’s aim is to build a strong foothold in the Nordic Countries and the Baltic Sea region in the energy, telecom, and industry sectors. The acquisition of Scancon is a logical step in our expansion strategy. The acquisition will provide us with a solid growth platform for expanding our services in the industry sector. The Scancon acquisition will complement our existing competence in Finland”, says Aappo Kontu, the president of Empower Group.

About Scancon Group

The Scancon Group is a leading supplier of mechanical services, installations, maintenance and manufacturing work. Scancon services the manufacturing, petrochemical, steel and mining, cement and lime, and paper industry. Based in Sweden, Scancon provides work for heavy industry throughout Scandinavia. For more information, visit www.scancon.se/indexUK.htm.

About Empower Group

With history dating back to 1988, The Empower Group is a multinational service group delivering construction, maintenance and professional services within the energy, telecom and industry sectors. Official establishment occurred in 1999, founding various subsidiaries in multiple business areas. Empower operates in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. For more information, visit www.empower.fi.

In 2008, AMETEK Inc. acquired Newage Testing Instruments Inc. in a BCMS-assisted sale. Giancarlo Mazzoleni and Doug McGhee, the owners of Newage, noticed strong synergy with AMETEK from the beginning, and noted a significant opportunity for cross-utilization of clients and a consolidation of manufacturing requirements as principal advantages. Although Newage received two other offers, Giancarlo and Doug believed that an acquisition by AMETEK would best fulfill the strategic goals that they envisioned for Newage. Additionally, the owners saw a cultural fit between the two companies, and anticipated their employees welcoming an acquisition by AMETEK.

The acquisition was also seen as success by the buyer. Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK chairman and CEO, commented, “Newage provides an excellent fit with the products offered by our measurement and calibration technologies business. Their hardness testing equipment and technology complements our Lloyd Instruments universal materials testing machines and broadens the range of materials testing solutions we can provide and support through our global sales and service network.”

About Newage Testing Instruments Inc.

Newage Testing Instruments Inc. is an expert in hardness testing and a leading innovator in solving hardness testing and characterization problems. Founded in 1954 and operated out of Southampton, PA, Newage’s equipment is used in a broad range of industries, including aerospace, oil exploration and defense. They also offer the adequate emergency services for their testing instrumentation. For more information, visit www.hardnesstesters.com.

About AMETEK Inc.

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. The Company has approximately 11,000 colleagues working at more than 80 manufacturing facilities and more than 80 sales and service centers in the United States and around the world. Learn more at www.ametek.com.

Wernick Hire, a member of the Wernick Group of companies has strengthened its market leading position with the acquisition of modular and portable buildings supplier Scotia Kabins.

Established in 1968, Scotia is the dominant supplier in the north of Scotland, providing the delivery and installation of around 1000 units.

The total investment that Wernick Hire has made in both acquisitions and organic growth has topped £40 million in the previous 18 months and has made it one of the leading companies in its sector.

David Wernick, Chief Executive of the Wernick Group commented ‘The combination of Scotia Kabins’ local knowledge and client base combined with Wernick Hire’s management experience and financial strength is a formula for success. This is a good strategic addition to our trading position in Scotland and will give us the presence we have long felt we needed in the north.’

Gregor Munro, Managing Director of Scotia Kabins added ‘I am very pleased that this deal will further strengthen Scotia Kabins position through the addition of Wernick Hire’s considerable resources.’

BCMS Deal Leader Craig Hart added, ‘Due to the financial stability and growth of Scotia Kabins, we were able to generate a significant amount of interest from potential acquirers. Our facilitation of the process ensured the best possible deal and deal structure for our client. Scotia particularly favoured Wernick as they are a reputable company and straightforward in their business dealings, as is Scotia, and this helped to facilitate the process to a “win-win” scenario. I would like to thank Gregor Munro, MD of Scotia Kabins for choosing BCMS Corporate and wish him every success in his future business interests.’