By Ian McConnell
RENFREW-based engineer Howden Group has completed its fifth acquisition of 2021 with the purchase of US air and gas-handling equipment manufacturer Spencer Turbine Company.
Howden said the latest deal further expanded its capability in industrial and wastewater treatment markets in North America, and offered “added growth opportunities” for Connecticut-based Spencer Turbine’s products in China, South America and Europe.
The Scottish-based engineering business was acquired by private equity outfit KPS Capital Partners from Colfax Corporation in a $1.8 billion deal announced in 2019.
At the time of the 2019 acquisition, KPS flagged Howden’s “160-year heritage as a world-class application engineering and manufacturing company”.
Howden now has a presence in 35 countries.
Ross Shuster, chief executive of Howden, said: “The acquisition of Spencer Turbine will bring additional expertise and technologies in areas well aligned with our strategic focus. This acquisition offers Howden opportunities to expand our market penetration in the industrial and wastewater treatment sectors across global markets.”
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Howden declared Spencer Turbine’s vacuum systems, gas pressure boosters and industrial blowers “are designed to high-quality standards and to withstand extreme conditions, ensuring their long-term performance”.
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Tony Mancini, president of Spencer Turbine, said: “Spencer Turbine is proud to join the Howden Group. With strong complementary technologies, we are excited to be able to provide our customers with...diverse, high-quality product and system solutions to address their specific air and gas application needs. We are known for the quality of our work, people and service and we recognise the same focus in Howden. Our business will benefit from access to a wider network and we look forward to combining our expertise to create a stronger proposition for the markets we serve.”
Howden noted its previous acquisitions this year comprise Fancraft in South Africa, Balcke-Dürr Rothemühle in Germany, Peter Brotherhood in the UK, and Maintenance Partners in Belgium.
It said: “These recent acquisitions support Howden’s strategy of strengthening its after-market service proposition and adding key technologies to further penetrate attractive segments.”
Howden added: “Howden’s growth strategy aligns to several key megatrends such as the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables, urbanisation and growth in infrastructure, technology, changing demographics as well as increases in the demand for natural resources.”
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