Voith strengthens Automotive business in North American growth market

HEIDENHEIM, Germany, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its Voith 150+ strategy, Voith is acquiring Helix Systems Inc., a USA-based industrial services company located in Bessemer, Alabama. The company offers integrated service solutions for automation, system control and plant engineering as well as construction services in particular for the automotive industry. Helix Systems Inc. generated a turnover of approx. $30 million in fiscal year 2013, and currently employs around 260 people.

Helix Systems will be integrated into the Automotive Division of Voith's Group Division Industrial Services, which is one of the leading service providers for the automotive industry worldwide. The service portfolio of Voith Industrial Services in the USA includes mainly technical cleaning and facility management, and production maintenance for car manufacturers.

"This acquisition supports our goals for the growth market of North America and complements the portfolio there with activities primarily focused on technological expertise that are already part of our core competencies in Europe. As an industry specialist for the automotive industry, we thus strengthen our international presence," explains William Bell, President & CEO Automotive business in North America with Voith Industrial Services. "We will also be able to access new customer groups in this industry."

The North American market is of strategic relevance for Voith. In the past year, the Group initiated the 'Voith 150+' success program, geared towards positioning the company for future challenges. Furthering market penetration in growth regions is part of this program. The acquisition will be a 100% share deal, with both parties agreeing not to disclose the terms of the deal.

Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 42,000 people, generates € 5.7 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe. In North America Voith generates € 890 million in sales and employs 5,800 people.

Voith 150+ is a Group-wide success program which will ensure the long-term competitiveness and capacity for growth far beyond the 150th birthday of the company in 2017. The focus of Voith 150+ is on repositioning the existing portfolio, optimizing structures and processes and strengthening Voith's corporate culture against a background of a rapidly changing market environment.

Contact:
Markus Woehl
Corporate Press Office Voith GmbH
Phone: +49 7321 37-2219
E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Voith GmbH