EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Helleris 130 years old

130 years ago, Hermann Heller opened a trading and manufacturing company for patented products and watchmaking tools in Nürtingen, Germany. With the business selling tools of all kinds, the engineer laid the foundations for the long-term success of the company, which entered the mechanical engineering sector in 1898 with the production of cold circular saws, blade skiving machines and thread cutting machines. In 1900, Hermann Heller’s brother Ernst, a trained tradesman, joined the company, marking the birth of ‘Gebr. Heller Werkzeug- und Maschinenfabrik’ (Heller).

Manufacturing state-of-the-art CNC machine tools, Heller today maintains the spirit of a family-run business with a strong sense of tradition. Since 2016, all shares in the group have been wholly owned by the family. Dr Thorsten Schmidt (CEO), Andreas Müßigmann (CFO), Dieter Drechsler (COO) and Peter Weber (CSO) currently manage the group.

For further information www.heller.biz

EOS joins MTC

Additive manufacturing (AM) specialist EOS has joined The MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) as a tier 3 member, marking a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between the two companies. EOS’ new membership will also extend the MTC’s range of AM options for defence, power and energy customers with the addition of an EOS M 290 equipped with EOSTATE Exposure OT in-process melt pool monitoring. This acquisition will enable the research technology organisation to develop more advanced materials for use in AM and expand its range of applications.

For further information www.the-mtc.org

Rcapital buys FGP Group

Private investor Rcapital has completed the acquisition of aerospace and defence engineering business, FGP Group. The deal will protect over 200 jobs in Dorset. FGP Group comprises Weymouth-based FGP Systems Ltd, a precision engineering business which provides tight-tolerance machining, turning and fabrication services to blue-chip aerospace and defence customers, and FGP Lufton Ltd, which is based in Yeovil and manufactures a portfolio of parts for the aerospace sector. The group also includes a successful surface treatment and coating business, Ramp Surface Coatings.

For further information www.rcapital.co.uk

SafeChem Europe acquired by Itelyum

Italian group Itelyum, a champion for the circular economy through the management and recycling of industrial waste, has acquired SafeChem Europe GmbH, a chemical service company and solvent risk management expert in the metal cleaning sector. SafeChem is an expert in enabling the safe and sustainable use of solvents. The company develops innovative business models, products and services to optimise the balance between ecology, economy and social responsibility. The acquisition has received all necessary approvals. Financial details remain confidential.

For further information www.safechem.com

AWI achieves record-breaking year

Export successes, security of supply and making every member of the business a shareholder were just some of the highlights of a record-breaking year for Alloy Wire International (AWI). This manufacturer of round, flat and profile wire has delivered £17.9m of sales since the MBO 12 months ago, a near £5m rise on the same period in 2022 and £3m above anticipated revenues. The senior management team puts the expansion down to a resurgence in the oil and gas industry and aerospace volumes returning post-pandemic, plus ongoing growth in automotive and new opportunities in R&D and space exploration.

For further information www.alloywire.com