On January 8, the Alfagomma group, producer and distributor of industrial hydraulic hoses and fittings, acquired the entire capital stock of Hiflex Europe Group, British supplier of hose and tube assemblies for the international OEM market. Hiflex Europe brings revenues of 40 million euro to the Alfagomma group, and strengthens its position on the German and British markets with a staff of 320 people, and three manufacturing facilities in Sunderland and Salisbury in the UK, and Ettlingen in Germany.
“This acquisition confirms our commitment to growth, coherent with our business model of a solid production base with cutting edge facilities, and a local service that meets the expectations of major OEM groups, who require exceptional quality combined with versatile and fast response that only a wide market coverage can ensure. It is also a question of pride to continue to consolidate our presence on world markets, as our company has solid roots in Italy. We expect vast benefits and synergy to come from this transaction, the objective being the utmost satisfaction for customers who increasingly consider us part of their strategy. Thanks to this acquisition and the organic growth of the prior consolidation perimeter, the target revenue of 400 million in 2016 becomes plausible, but our growth ambitions do not end here,” said Enrico and Guido Gennasio, shareholders and CEO of Alfagomma.
Hiflex Europe has also resumed (along with Dunlop Hiflex, acquired from Alfagomma in 2005) one of the leading players on the world hose and fittings market, operating since the 1970s with the brands Dunlop Hiflex and Argus, recognised globally and known for high quality. Alfagomma aims to manage integration with a gradual approach. The Hiflex Europe Group will continue to operate as Argus Fluidhandling in the UK and Argus Fluidtechnik in Germany. The management will not be changed, with the exception of David Oldham, chairman of Hiflex Europe Group, who will retire in January 2016. The Hiflex Europe Group will draw advantage from financial solidity, a strong manufacturing vocation and technological innovation that characterises the Alfagomma group. This year the group celebrates seventy years in business.