MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
Infinite Electronics, Inc. | January 20, 2023
On January 19, 2023, Infinite Electronics, Inc., the leading global supplier of electronic components, announced the acquisition of Bulgin Ltd, a UK-based developer and manufacturer of connectors and related components for harsh-environment applications. Equistone Partners Europe, a renowned European mid-market private equity firm, was the previous owner of Bulgin.
Bulgin has over a century of expertise designing, developing, and producing IP66, IP67, IP68, and IP69K severe environment connectivity solutions for customers in various industries. Bulgin is focused on bespoke services and custom capabilities, as well as fast prototyping and a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to meet customers' urgent needs. Since Equistone acquired the company in 2019, Bulgin has expanded dramatically, opening a new site in Tunis, Tunisia, as well as new headquarters in Cambridge, UK.
Bulgin has over 600 distributor locations across 60 countries and six continents. It employs 680 people worldwide, including its headquarters in the United Kingdom, businesses in Tunisia and Santa Fe Springs, California, as well as a foothold in the Asia-Pacific region.
This acquisition expands Infinite Electronics' presence in Europe. It follows the company's announcement of entering a definitive agreement to acquire Cable Connectivity Group (CCG) from Torqx Capital Partners and TKH Group NV, a leading producer and distributor of specialty cables and cable connectivity solutions. These acquisitions are prominent milestones in Infinite Electronics' six-year rapid growth. These slew of acquisitions are the latest milestones in Infinite Electronics' aggressive expansion over the last six years.
About Infinite Electronics, Inc.
Based in Irvine, California, Infinite Electronics is a leading global electrical component supplier, meeting engineers' urgent needs through a family of well-known and trusted brands. It offers a diverse range of components, assemblies, and wired/wireless connectivity solutions and serves the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Infinite's brands include Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, Aiconics, KP Performance Antennas, PolyPhaser, Transtector, RadioWaves, ShowMe Cables, Integra Optics, INC Installs and NavePoint. By working quickly to supply goods, solutions, and real-time support to its clients, its brands help move the world's innovators forward.
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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
Helios Technologies, Inc. | January 19, 2023
Helios Technologies, Inc., a global technology leader in the hydraulics and electronics markets, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Schultes Precision Manufacturing, Inc. Schultes, a precision machined components and assemblies manufacturer for customers with extremely tight tolerances, excellent quality, and exceptional value-added manufacturing process requirements. Schultes consistently delivers manufacturing quality, reliability, and responsiveness crucial to its customers' success and is currently serving the communication, hydraulic, aerospace, food services, medical devices, and dental industries.
Schultes acquisition will help Helios move into new end markets with complementary manufacturing expertise and favorable secular tailwinds. It will also open new avenues into communication, food services, communication, as well as the life sciences sector, including those for medical devices and dental applications. As a strategic partner, Schultes, gives Helios more depth in manufacturing processes which can be used to expand its "in the region for the region" strategy.
In 2022, Schultes had roughly $30 million in revenue, and currently operates from its newly expanded 110,000 square foot facility based on seven acres with roughly 20,000 square feet of additional space for future growth. In addition, Schultes provides rapid growth applications to its customers, from prototype to full-rate production.
Josef Matosevic, Helios’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Schultes is an excellent bolt-on flywheel acquisition to add to our Hydraulics segment. It brings process technology and know-how that advances our ability to serve our customers with a broader product and solutions portfolio.” He further added, “It also expands and diversifies our markets and continues to optimize our manufacturing and operating footprint. Schultes is yet another strong standalone business with a healthy margin profile that fits perfectly into our Hydraulics business. This transaction is another milestone that further validates that we are making great progress against our augmented strategy and long-term goals.”
(Source – Businesswire)
Helios expects the acquisition to be completed in the first quarter of 2023, subjected to customary closing conditions. The terms were not disclosed.
About Helios Technologies, Inc.
Helios Technologies is a leading motion control and electronic controls technology provider for a wide range of end markets, such as agriculture, construction, energy, material handling, recreational vehicles, maritime, and health and wellness. It develops and manufactures innovative products and solutions, including customized electronic control systems, hydraulic cartridge valves and quick-release couplings. Helios' products are sold to customers in over 90 countries worldwide. The company's growth plan is to be the leading provider of premier products and solutions in niche areas through innovative product creation and acquisition.
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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Bright Machines | January 25, 2023
On January 24, 2023, Bright Machines, a leader in intelligent, software-defined manufacturing, and Viridi Parente, Inc., a leading developer of safe, resilient, point-of-use battery storage technology, announced that Viridi has chosen Bright Machines to transform the company's U.S. electric battery manufacturing facility digitally. Bright Machines Microfactories, the company's full-stack assembly automation solution, modernizes production by integrating data and AI. This gives Viridi new capability to fulfill the growing demand for its zero-carbon emission energy battery solutions.
Viridi manufactures battery energy storage systems in Buffalo, New York. Bright Machines will play a key role in the assembly of Viridi's stationary lithium-ion battery pack system modules, which are developed and tested to be fail-safe for installation in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. Companies like Viridi and Bright Machines are fueling the United States' re-emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse.
Bright Machines will assist Viridi in automating the assembly of its clean, sustainable power sources, which will replace century-old distributed energy platforms, including fossil fuel, lead-acid batteries, and other outmoded technologies. Additionally, Viridi will implement more sustainable practices by utilizing Bright Machines' intelligent automation solution, which evaluates production areas to determine the appropriate material requirements to reduce fault rates.
Viridi will also be able to decrease overproduction and instead produce-to-order depending on local market demand as its facility is near the end consumer. This will result in reduced landfill and an overall reduction in Viridi's carbon footprint.
The only option to reduce costs, emissions, and geopolitical risks while satisfying U.S. battery and electrification demand is to localize the production of crucial battery components. Intelligent assembly automation from Bright Machines enables rapid product evolution at a low cost while minimizing time to market. In addition, the trend toward closer-to-home production promotes jobs in the United States and allows businesses to progress their sustainability efforts through local and regional supply chains.
About Bright Machines
Founded in 2018, Bright Machines is a leading technology firm that offers an innovative approach to software-defined, intelligent manufacturing. It uses machine learning, computer vision, 3D simulation, and adaptive robotics to alter production's flexibility, scalability, and economics fundamentally. Bright Machines runs R&D facilities in the United States and Israel, with additional field operations in the United States, Mexico, China, and Poland, and it employs more than 500 people globally. It has been recognized as a "Technology Pioneer" by the World Economic Forum and one of "America's Most Promising Artificial Intelligence Companies" by Forbes in 2019.
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