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PUMP INDUSTRY

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ISSUE 27 MARCH 1998

ISSN 1359-6128

S UND S TRAND ADD S ANS IMAG AND

MASO TO PUMP PORTFOLIO

Sundstrand Fluid Handling has acquired Ansimag Inc of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA and Maso Process Pumpen GmbH of Ilsfeld, Germany (see Pump Industry Analyst, December 1997).

Ansimag manufactures and distributes a wide range of non-metallic, magnet drive, seal-less pumps for the chemi- cal and general process indus- tries. Ansimag's product range and distributor network in the USA, Europe and the Far East complement Sundstrand Fluid Handling's existing range of seal-less products, specifically the Sundyne® canned motor pump and the HMD/Kontro lines of metallic magnet drive seal-less pumps. The Maso pump uses a patented sine design to pump a wide range of processed food and bever- ages, pharmaceutical products and high viscosity industrial fluids. Commenting on this acquisition, Bill Taylor, vice president and general manager, Sundstrand Fluid

Handling, said: "The Maso line of pumps is a complement to our Sine® product line. This acquisition provides us an opportunity to more effec- tively address the worldwide market."

Sundstrand Fluid Handling, headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, manufactures high performance pumps and com- pressors for the hydrocarbon, chemical and food processing industries.

Sundstrand Fluid Handling has reinforced its commit- ment to the pump sector with the acquisition of two technology-driven compa- nies. The Ansimag pur- chase completes Sund- strand's seal-less portfolio, and Maso adds to Sundstrand's European operations and provides an entry into the German

marketplace. While the two acquisitions will operate as separate business units, maintaining their current strengths, there should be crossover technology and marketing opportunities for all of Sundstrand Fluid Handling's groups. •

JOHN CRANE BUYS SAFEMATIC TI Group plc has announced a further strategic bolt-on deal with the acquisition of Safematic Oy of Finland, a supplier of sealing and lubrication systems to the global pulp and paper industry.

TI sees the strategic bene- fits as twofold: it believes this acquisition will substantially strengthen the position of the John Crane Group in the pulp and paper sector where clear market opportunities have been identified; while owner- ship of Safematic's lubrication systems capability will enable John Crane to meet the grow- ing demand for integrated solutions.

An initial cash considera- tion of FM150 million has been paid, giving TI full con- trol of the privately owned company. TI has agreed to make certain additional pay- ments to Safematic's owners

over the next three years, which will be based on the actual operating performance achieved by the business in the three years ending 31 December 1999.

Safematic, based in Finland with sales offices in North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific, employs approximately 200 people. In 1996, Safematic made pre-tax profits of FM15.9 million on sales of FM137 million and bad net assets of FM29.5 million.

John Crane's heightened acquisition activity only reflects the escalating pace of consolidation within the sealing sector in general. The company recently announced plans to acquire EG&G Inc's Sealol Industrial Seals business (see Pump Industry Analyst, January 1998) and has completed the pur- chase of 30 per cent of Lips United BV of Holland. This strategic buy should provide John Crane with market opportunities in the pulp and paper industry, which, although highly cyclical, has a relatively tow penetration of mechan- ical seals and offers signifi- cant growth potential. •

ELSEVIER ADVANCED T E C H N O L O G Y

CONTENTS GENERAL NEWS 1,10,11,12,13,16 MARKET PROSPECTS 2-4 COMPANY PROFILE 5-6

COMPANY WATCH %9 DIVIDENDS 13 ECONOMIC REVIEW 14 PEOPLE 14 DIARY 15

© 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd., England/98/$19.00 per item. No part Of this publiCatiOn rday be reproduced stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopiying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Readers in the USA - please see special regulations listed on back cover.