Midlands engineering firm sold to Germans
ABLACK Country engineering business has been bought out. Halesowen-based Vacuum Furnace Engineering has been acquired in an undisclosed deal by Busch (UK) which is part of the German Busch Vacuum Solutions group.
Vacuum Furnace Engineering was founded in 1985 and now has divisions in Halesowen and Poole, in Dorset, and Singapore.
It provides maintenance servicing for heat treatment industry equipment including vacuum furnaces, melting and casting furnaces, posting a turnover of £16 million in 2019 and employing 89 staff.
Busch Vacuum Solutions, whose global head office is in Maulburg, provides vacuum and overpressure technology worldwide and the UK arm was established in 1971 as the company’s first overseas subsidiary.
The family business was established in Germany in 1963 and now has 3,500 employees, operating in 44 countries which are served by six production sites globally.
As well as a UK headquarters in Telford, Shropshire, Busch (UK) also has a further service centre based in East Kilbride.
David Byrne, chief executive of Vacuum Furnace Engineering, said: “Operationally, Vacuum Furnace Engineering will remain focused on the markets and customers that benefit from the team’s expertise in vacuum metallurgy and composites.
“The existing Busch UK business will continue to serve customers under the Busch brand.
“Together, Busch and Vacuum Furnace Engineering will share their vacuum expertise, solutions, and service capabilities, to enable an even more comprehensive range of vacuum solutions to the benefit of all of our customers.”
Tim Hulbert, managing director of Busch (UK), said: “This is an exciting time for the Busch UK team.
“2021 is our 50th anniversary in the UK and the acquisition of Vacuum Furnace Engineering marks a significant commitment by the Busch group to the UK market, ensuring we are well positioned for further long-term service and growth. We are stronger together and uniquely positioned to help UK manufacturers become more productive and sustainable through the application of our Busch vacuum solutions.”
The corporate finance team at advisory firm Crowe acted for Busch on the buyout.
Corporate finance partner Andy Kay said: “This acquisition is strategically important for Busch in the UK as it enhances the company’s service offering across the UK and internationally. For Vacuum Furnace Engineering, it opens doors to a much bigger marketplace and they will now be able to tap into Busch’s global customer footprint.
“This deal is the result of forwardthinking, with an eye to the longterm strategy of both companies and we were delighted to be able to advise Busch on this important acquisition.”