Two acquisitions, one of them already under one roof: The German technology group Voith strengthens its portfolio in the field of electric drive systems through acquisitions in Austria. The group has held 70 percent of the Weizer electric motor manufacturer Elin Motoren since the end of April, and the deal was tweaked over two years. A second purchase is to be sealed this year: Voith and the Swiss holding company PCS Holding are planning to take over 59 percent of the rail and road vehicle engine manufacturer Traktionssysteme Austria in Wiener Neudorf.
There was never a shortage of people interested in taking over Elin Motoren in Weiz – especially from Asia, says Günther Eichhübl, one of five companions who formed almost two decades ago in the associated company Trasys and have so far held a 100 percent stake in Elin Motoren . Franz Hrachowitz, Robert Tencl, Gustav Hauschka, Dominik Brunner and Eichhübl were, of course, in no hurry to strive for a transfer solution all too soon: electric drives such as those manufactured by Elin Motoren are in demand, in wind power or tunnel boring.
Voith takes over 70 percent of the Weizer electric drive manufacturer Elin Motoren
In terms of age, however, it became apparent that a succession arrangement was to be considered. Which is now found. Voith acquired 70 percent of the company shares from Trasys, the closing was at the end of April. Franz Hrachowitz remains involved – he holds the remaining 30 percent through a newly founded investment company.
Also in Trasys’ portfolio so far: A 74 percent majority stake in Traktionssysteme Austria, which emerged from the industrial electronics group ABB. Here too, a successor solution emerged longer. The purchase contract was signed at the end of April.
After the transaction has been completed, TSA will be owned by Voith Group, PCS Holding, long-time shareholder Duswald and TSA managing director Robert Tencl. The previous co-owner Günter Eichhübl surrendered his shares and will remain in the management until June 30, 2021. Employees had been positive that there was no sale abroad and that a European company structure was behind the deal. For Voith Turbo, TSA is above all a “strategic purchase”.
The Weizer Elin motors portfolio is also a “perfect fit” for Voith, one hears in the industry. The high mechanical competence will now be expanded by additional electrical competence. For the approximately 1,000 employees in the group, the integration into the Voith Group would bring a significant upgrade, says one participant. It brings new business potential and broad access.
The Elin Motoren portfolio is an excellent addition to industrial drive solutions “and supports our position as a technology-independent supplier of drive systems,” said Voith Turbo.
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