A-Gas has acquired the European refrigerant business, Arthur Friedrichs Kaeltemittel GmbH.
The company has supplied refrigerants for more than 60 years and the acquisition gives A-Gas a foothold in the European automotive market, where Friedrichs Kaeltemittel is a key player.
A-Gas plans to further invest in the company, based near Hamburg, by building a refrigerant reclamation facility – a growing sector of the refrigerant market.
Announcing the acquisition yesterday, A-Gas managing director, John Ormerod, said this investment is a good fit.
“We’ve worked with Friedrichs Kaeltemittel in the past and much admired the way in which they operate,” Ormerod said.
“We are pleased that the highly-experienced management team is staying on to help us grow the business. This acquisition will allow us to further strengthen our global OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) automotive presence, where Friedrichs Kaeltemittel has made a considerable impact.”
Ormerod said plans are underway to also introduce reclamation to the business.
“This is an area where A-Gas can make a real difference. We will invest in a reclamation plant and create new jobs by doing so,” he said.
“Reclamation will expand as the pressure on supplies of key gases continues and the need to reclaim grows ever more important.”
Friedrichs Kaeltemittel has been supplying refrigerants to the European market since 1955. The company also provides products to the OEM market, services equipment and offers expertise on new installations.
The A-Gas acquisition is subject to clearance from competition authorities in Germany and Austria.
This is the second A-Gas acquisition on the European mainland in less than a year. In August, A-Gas acquired the Netherlands-based reclamation business, BTC.