Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum is active in the food and beverage segment in applications such as hermetically sealed packaging and food processing. It provides pumps and components such as measuring devices and leak detectors in industrial applications including food packaging, vacuum baking, freeze drying and charging refrigerators and air conditioners.
Atlas Copco Compressor Technique business
The acquired business will become part of Atlas Copco’s Vacuum Solutions division in the Compressor Technique business area.
Dr. Brice Koch, CEO, Oerlikon, told DairyReporter, the move is part of the company’s strategic effort to focus on its core growth markets in energy, mobility and urbanization.
The company was founded in 1850 in Switzerland and its vacuum business is headquartered in Cologne, Germany, with about 1,600 employees.
“We intend to use the proceeds to invest in sustainable profitable growth within our core competencies,” he said.
“Atlas Copco is the ideal owner to unfold the full potential of Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum as it has a strong position and wide expertise in the vacuum and compressor sector.”
The deal represents Atlas Copco’s 13th acquisition since 2010. The acquisition of Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum follows its acquisition of Edwards Group last year which was the Group’s first major step into the vacuum solutions business.
'Knowledgeable workforce with a long history'
“ Leybold will strengthen our technology platform for superior vacuum solutions,” said Nico Delvaux, president, Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique business area.
“We welcome a very knowledgeable workforce with a long history.”
Oerlikon will report the Vacuum Segment under “Discontinued Operations” in its 2015 full-year financial statements and will restate its 2014 accounts accordingly. Based on preliminary restated 2014 full-year Group figures for order intake (CHF 2,647m), sales (CHF 2,825m) and EBITDA margin (16.8 %).
Oerlikon confirms for its continuing operations for the financial year 2015 at constant exchange rates the guidance provided on October 27, 2015 are; order intake to increase by low single digits; sales to be at prior-year level and EBITDA margin to be sustained at prior-year level.
Vacuum packaging evacuates air from a package prior to sealing. The intent is to remove oxygen from the container to extend the shelf life of foods and, with flexible package forms, to reduce the volume of the contents and package.
By reducing the oxygen residual contents, the growth of aerobic bacteria is limited and the shelf life can typically be extended by a factor of 5 to 10. Its SOGEVAC vacuum pumps are the most adequate for these processes.