16.01.2006

Alimak Hek buy USA manufacturer

Alimak Hek has acquired the manufacturing business of Champion Elevators, the Houston, Texas, based manufacturer of rack and pinion construction hoists and industrial lifts.
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A Champion hoist in a construction application

The deal includes all assets, inventory, product designs, and trademarks associated with the Champion manufacturing business, along with the staff associated with the production, sales and after sales support.
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Champion also serve the Offshore business

Champion also operates an installation and rental operation with eight locations across the USA and overseas, including Germany. This part of the business, which employs around 70 to 80 staff, is not included in the deal, and will in future trade as McDonough Construction Rental.

Champion, which was founded in 1976 by Walter P. Manning Junior, is also the USA distributor for Geda elevators and mast climbers. No mention of what will happen to the Geda account has been made so far.

Champion will provide Alimak Hek with a significantly stronger base in the American market. Champion serves the construction industry with temporary hoists as well as industries such as offshore, oil and gas, refineries, and power with permanent industrial lifts. In 2005 the manufacturing business generated revenues of around $20 million with some 70 employees.
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Champion's Houston manufacturing facility

Alimak Hek currently generates revenues of around $150 million and employs about 700.

Alimak Hek president and CEO Petter Arvidson said “This acquisition is another key step in securing Alimak Hek’s market leadership position. With the acquisition of Champion we strengthen our position both globally and in the US market in our core business.”
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Alimak Hek president and CEO Petter Arvidson

“In addition to a further enhanced product and service offering for our customers we expect significant synergy effects from merging our existing operations in the US with the acquired Champion business”.