Air extraction and filtration specialist Filtermist International Ltd has bought the UK industrial vacuum cleaner manufacturer Kerstar Ltd.
Established in 1960, Kerstar produces a range of cleaners, including ATEX-accredited machines for use in explosion risk environments, at its facility in Northampton, exporting to more than 19 countries worldwide through a network of approved distributors.
“The opportunity to add Kerstar to our portfolio offered a very interesting proposition for us,” said Filtermist International CEO James Stansfield.
“Its products are used by a number of our existing customers in a range of industrial sectors so are a perfect addition to our offer. The firm also has a presence in some markets that we’re not currently active in, so offer a good opportunity to cross-sell expertise and services from our other business units.”
Kerstar is Filtermist’s third acquisition so far this year. Filtermist purchased the DCS Group of companies in January and announced the acquisition of Carter Environmental Engineers’ Air Services Division in June.
“Acquisitions play a key role in our wider group strategic growth plans,” continued Stansfield. “This strategy is being rolled out worldwide; Filtermist is part of Absolent Group which recently announced two acquisitions of its own – Montreal-based fume extraction specialist Diversitech Inc and Jeven Global OY, a market leader in commercial kitchen ventilation based in Finland. Absolent Group has identified six air filtration ‘platforms’, which offer significant potential for growth and all acquisitions are designed to support our strategic objectives.”
