Axel Johnson International acquires AHD Aandrijftechniek in The Netherlands
Axel Johnson International’s business group Industrial Solutions is increasing its market presence in the Benelux countries through the acquisition of AHD Aandrijftechniek B.V. AHD has been active in the maintenance, repair and overhaul segment in The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg for 25 years. It sells, maintains and services industrial gearboxes, brakes, couplings and propeller shafts to large and small customers, most notably Tata Steel.
AHD will join forces with Spruit Transmissies B.V., a technical distributor of power transmission parts within Industrial Solutions.
“This is an important step for Spruit,” says Ola Sjölin, Managing Director of Industrial Solutions, Axel Johnson International, “The transaction shows our confidence in the Dutch and Benelux market and in Spruit’s ambition to grow. AHD and Spruit will continue to work together with a high degree of freedom, which is in line with Axel Johnson International’s values.”
AHD and Spruit have had a business relationship for many years and both companies see immediate benefits from the transaction, which closed October 26. The aim is to integrate AHD gradually into Spruit’s operational systems whilst keeping the trade name intact for a longer period.
“The products that AHD has in its portfolio are a good complement to our current product groups, providing us with the opportunity to offer our customers a more complete package of products, plus on-site service,” says Jan Verduin, Spruit’s Managing Director.
AHD will ensure continuity for partners and employees, with experienced engineers from AHD joining Spruit’s team.
“Joining Spruit is a strategic step for us,” says Bob Stijsiger, Managing Director of AHD, who will continue as technical service manager in the new organisation. “The support of a larger group provides us with opportunities to expand our customer base in the region and to take on larger projects. For myself, I can fully focus on servicing our customers.”
Spruit Transmissies is a technical distributor and problem solver in transmission products, selling premium products to independent retailers, as well as to OEM and MRO customers in the Benelux area. Its headquarters is in Alkmaar, north of Amsterdam, where it has about 25 employees and its own workshop. The company was founded in 1981 and has annual sales of approximately EUR 6 million. It has a very strong name as supplier in Holland, Belgium and the neighbouring regions. Axel Johnson International acquired it in 2014.
AHD Aandrijftechniek BV is headquartered halfway between Rotterdam and Amsterdam in Alphen, where it has three employees. It has annual sales of approximately EUR 600,000. AHD is well known in the market for the quality of their service and for providing special solutions for customers. The company was founded in 1991 as a supplier and MRO specialist in the power transmissions market.
For further information, please contact:
Hans Glemstedt, Head of Strategy and M&A, Axel Johnson International,
+46 (0)8 453 77 41, hans.glemstedt@axinter.com
Ola Sjölin, Managing Director Industrial Solutions, Axel Johnson International,
+46 (0)8 453 77 25, ola.sjolin@axinter.com
Jan Verduin, Managing Director of Spruit Transmissies B.V
+31 (0)72 541 20 08, JVerduin@spruit.nl
Viktor Skargren
Project Manager Strategy & Communication
viktor.skargren@axinter.com
Axel Johnson International is a privately owned Swedish industrial group of more than 90 companies in 25 countries, with combined annual sales of €750 million. We drive business development and growth through a long-term approach to ownership in strategic niche markets, primarily technical components and solutions for industrial processes. Axel Johnson International is organised in four business groups: Fluid Handling Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Lifting Solutions and Transport Solutions. www.axinter.com
