Acquisitions increase Spectris' worldwide presence
Continuing the Spectris strategy of growing its businesses, Particle Measuring Systems has added a product line, an X-ray inspection business has been integrated with Loma, and Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration and Malvern Instruments now have a direct presence in Japan and China respectively.
Particle Measuring Systems has acquired the molecular contamination monitoring business of Molecular Analytics, based in the USA. The business uses a technology called ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) to identify very small concentrations of molecular contaminants in flows of air or gases. The main applications are in semiconductor manufacturing where molecular contamination monitoring is one of the key challenges. IMS will complement Particle Measuring Systems' existing product range based on surface acoustic wave technology (SAW). SAW measures the total mass of molecular contamination but is unable to identify and measure individual contaminants.
The business of Cintex Group has been acquired to be integrated with Loma Systems. Based in the UK, the business also has operations in North America, France and Germany. Cintex has complementary X-ray and metal detector product ranges to Loma and has a strong aftermarket business. The Cintex brand is being maintained to operate alongside that of Loma in order to offer a greater range of product choices to customers.
Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration has established a subsidiary in Japan with the acquisition of the NVH (noise and vibration harshness) division of Matsushita Techno Trading (MTT), part of one of Japan 's largest industrial groups. This follows over 50 years of working closely with MTT, who were responsible for the sale, distribution and support of Brüel & Kjær's sound and vibration products, as well as the development of customised solutions for Japanese customers. Japan is the second-largest market for Brüel & Kjær's products and Japanese automotive manufacturers and suppliers are the company's largest partners within the global automotive industry.
Also increasing its presence in Asia, Malvern Instruments has established a sales and customer support office in China, providing a direct relationship for customers in the increasingly important particle characterisation market in this region.