Atlas Copco Acquires ABAC’s Compressor Company

Atlas Copco has received conditional approval from the anti-trust authorities to acquire the Industrial Division of the ABAC Group. It had a turnover in 2006 of approximately 190 million euros and some 650 employees. The estimated operating profit margin in 2006 was around 10 per cent. The acquisition is scheduled to close on 2 April.

The ABAC Group, headquartered in Turin, Italy and with operations in GB out of Bicester, Oxon., is a major manufacturer of piston compressors for the industrial market via the ABAC, BALMA and AGRE brands. It has a solid presence in the screw compressor market via the ALUP, ABAC and BALMA brands. The group has successfully established a presence in the distribution of compressors for small and medium sized industries and the automotive aftermarket.

ABAC will become part of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division. The Consumer Division of the ABAC Group, led by the company Nu Air Compressors and Tools, will remain under the control of the current group.