Bitzer buys Alfa Laval’s shell-and-tube
German compressor manufacturer Bitzer has acquired the shell-and-tube heat exchanger segment of Alfa Laval SpA based in Alonte, Northern Italy.
The deal, signed yesterday in Milan, is expected to make Bitzer the largest independent manufacturer in the shell-and-tube heat exchanger market worldwide. The products taken over from Alfa Laval are designed for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Bitzer has been producing condensers for fresh- and seawater applications since the 1950s.
“This is an important step for Bitzer in its efforts to develop its heat exchanger and pressure vessel segment effectively,” commented Bitzer’s chief sales and marketing officer Gianni Parlanti. “With this operation, Bitzer is becoming the largest independent manufacturer in the shell-and-tube heat exchanger market worldwide. Our aim is to become the technology leader in this segment offering the market the latest solutions. To do this, we are building up a state-of-the-art laboratory with highly skilled personnel.”
Alfa Laval’s key strengths include decades of experience in dry expansion evaporators, flooded evaporators and condensers for fresh- and seawater applications with a capacity of up to 2,000kW. Its commercial tubular heat exchanger business has been a part of its Greenhouse division since 2016. The business reported revenues of SEK120m (€11.7m) in 2017.
“We have seen a positive development of the commercial tubular heat exchanger business last year,” said Tom Erixon, president and CEO of the Alfa Laval Group. “However, under the ownership of the Bitzer Group we are convinced the business will have even better opportunities to develop.”
Alfa Laval says it will continue to sell tubular heat exchangers produced in Bergamo, Italy and Sarasota, USA for niche applications.
Just last week, Alfa Laval announced a deal to sell its heat exchanger systems business, also part of its Greenhouse division, to the Swedish NIBE Group.