Palo Alto, CA/London, UK – December 2, 2015
The German HÜBNER Group and the Swedish Cobolt Group both have signed an agreement that results in Hübner acquiring 100% control of Cobolt’s business. The transaction which completed on December 2nd 2015 will result in a strengthened business, well-placed to service an increasing portion of not only the growing global photonics markets but also the wider test and measurement and process control markets.
The HÜBNER Corporation, headquartered in Kassel, Germany has its historic roots as a system supplier for the transportation industry. In 2006 Hübner entered new technology markets in the fields of photonics, terahertz and high-frequency electronics. Since then, the Group has brought several innovations to market maturity, such as the tunable laser C-WAVE® and the T-COGNITION/T-SPECTRALYZER®. Both were awarded a Prism Award at Photonics West 2014, as well as several other globally recognized prizes. Based in Stockholm, Sweden Cobolt is a renowned supplier of compact and robust high performance lasers to analytical instrumentation applications.
The acquisition of Cobolt strengthens the Hübner footprint in these markets: “Bundling our competences with those of Cobolt leverages both capabilities. Cobolt is a dynamic and very innovative company: their development in the past 15 years – from a university spin-off to a well established supplier with one of the market’s broadest ranges of powerful, small and reliable single-frequency lasers – impresses me a lot. Cobolt fits perfectly into our growth plan and I very much look forward to our cooperation and new developments in our joint product portfolio,” states Ingolf Cedra, Member of the Corporate Board of Management of the HÜBNER Holding GmbH.
“Following our increasing penetration of markets for process and quality control equipment, it makes a lot of sense to merge with a strong corporate partner to better support OEM customers in these fields. With their long-term perspective, solid industrial focus, strong scientific network and complementary technologies the merger with Hübner will allow us to take next steps in our development and help scaling production. I am happy for Cobolt and our customers and I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Hübner team.” says Dr. Håkan Karlsson, CEO of Cobolt AB.
The companies will make their first joint appearance in February 2016 at Photonics West, San Francisco, USA. Both sides look forward to providing their customers with the benefit that will accrue from the merger.
About HÜBNER GmbH & Co. KG
Whenever you travel by bus, train or car and fly on holiday, you will find HÜBNER products – worldwide. As a comprehensive system supplier, the HÜBNER Group manufactures key components for the transportation industry (e.g. for rail vehicles, buses, airport technology, passenger cars & commercial vehicles) as well as products for medical technology, life quality, terahertz-, photonics and high frequency technology.
Customers benefit from tailor-made solutions – from development through the prototype stage to market maturity. All over the world: With its international structure, the HÜBNER Group can maintain close contact with the market and its requirements. In addition to its headquarters in Kassel, HÜBNER has affiliates in Brazil, China, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and the USA and well as sales partners and trade representatives in more than 30 countries. Short distances and straightforward processes lead to the best possible result.
HÜBNER products have been standing out for almost 70 years through their safety, high-quality workmanship, outstanding comfort and convenience and long service life. Many of these products are in-house developments. HÜBNER provides impulses again and again for technical process, since research and development are firmly established in the corporate culture. More than 2,400 employees bring good ideas, commitment and perfect service to life every day.
About Cobolt AB
Cobolt develops, manufactures and supplies diode-pumped and direct-diode laser modules in the UV-visible-nearIR and midIR spectral ranges.
The company provides a broad range of market-adapted high performance laser products built on wavelength flexible, power-scalable and robust technology platforms, for use in OEM and scientific applications in the markets of analytical instrumentation, test & measurement and in-line process control. The product range includes powerful ultra-low noise SLM CW DPSS lasers, Q-switched DPSS lasers, Mid-IR OPOs and high performance diode laser modules.
The company’s proprietary HTCure Technology for laser manufacturing enables the highest level of robustness and reliability and makes the lasers suitable for use in demanding industrial environments.
Cobolt is based in Stockholm, Sweden, with a subsidiary in San Jose, USA.
About WCPAvantus
WCPAvantus is a joint venture formed between Woodside Capital Partners (Palo Alto and London) and Avantus (Stockholm). WCPAvantus connects Nordic growth stage technology companies with financial and strategic buyers from the global technology industry. Through its parent companies, WCPAvantus is a member of M&A International which is composed of 46 member firms throughout the world.
# # # #
Contact:
Mike Powell
Woodside Capital Partners UK LLP
[email protected]
+44 7989 384590