Flowrox Oy has acquired Polar-Automaatio Oy, a Finnish company specialising in the design, delivery and maintenance of industrial automation systems.
Polar-Automaatio, which is based in Keminmaa, northwest Finland, specialises in the design, overall supply and maintenance of industrial automation. Services include automation of machines and entire production lines as well as modernisation work and field maintenance. The company employs 35 people and has three other Finnish locations in Tornio, Oulu and Vantaa.
Flowrox, a family-owned company based in Lappeenranta, southeast Finland, is a global supplier of flow control, pumping, filtration and environmental engineering solutions, as well as intelligent applications and automation systems. With the acquisition of Polar-Automaatio, the company now has 215 employees. Net sales for the current year are projected to be €45 million–50 million, with growth of approximately 30% on 2018.
“Polar-Automaatio has a long and reputable history in the sectors that Flowrox operates in. Polar-Automaatio has been particularly impressive as a turnkey supplier of modernisation projects for automated production lines. Such projects often offer the possibility to include Flowrox’s other equipment and components in the overall package, such as valves, pumps and filters,” said Flowrox CEO and president Jukka Koskela.
“Flowrox has invested heavily in the development of IIoT-based smart automation systems in recent years. There are many older automation systems out there that require renewal in the near future. Experts such as Polar-Automaatio that are independent of system suppliers have a special status in such projects. This acquisition will enable Flowrox to provide their customers with more comprehensive solutions,” added Koskela.
“The deal strengthens Polar-Automaatio’s role as a process and automation technology specialist, and enables growth in servicing operations as well as opening up opportunities to bring our expertise and heritage to international markets. Flowrox is the perfect partner for us on account of its focus on growth, existing global sales and service network, and advanced IIoT solutions. By combining our expertise, the two companies form a highly competitive global service provider,” said Polar-Automaatio CEO Markus Saloniemi.
