Bühler completes Haas acquisition as it plans to expand in Asia

10-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 10-Jan-2018 at 10:46 GMT

Bühler completes Haas acquisition. Picture: Bühler.

Bühler has completed its acquisition of The Haas Group, an Austrian-based company that makes wafer, cookie, and confectionery production systems.

After obtaining the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities, the transaction was closed in the first week of January 2018.

'Promising market'

Stefan Scheiber, CEO, Bühler, said to date the company has not ‘engaged in the promising wafer and cookie production market’.

“We are opening a new chapter in the Consumer Food market, and we have received good feedback from our customers and employees,” he said.

“Though we offer food processing technologies and often have the same customers, our products and services do not overlap in any way – this means, we complement each other ideally.”

ConfectioneryNews reported in September Bühler was to acquire Haas for an undisclosed sum.

The Haas Group employs 1,750 people and has factories in six countries with €300m ($357m) in annual revenues.

Former Haas Group owner Johann Haas said at the time, the sale was driven by future processing trends for automation and digitization.

“Today’s market and technology trends, whose impact and speed will continue to increase, have prompted us to take this step,” he said.

“…Bühler offers precisely this environment. It is for this reason that we sought exclusive talks with them on the change in ownership.”

Wafer & biscuit production

Haas based in Vienna, makes production systems for making wafers, hard and soft cookies, ice cones, cakes, and bakery products.

Its equipment is expected to profit from Bühler’s strong presence in Asia, unlocking opportunities in a growing market.

Germar Wacker, who took charge as CEO of Haas from September 5, 2017, will lead the Haas business. He joined from aviation & aerospace firm Bombardier.

“The powerful presence of Bühler in Asia is another factor that enables the two combined companies to seize new opportunities in this major growth market for wafer and cookie products,” said Wacker.

“The focus is on the generation of customer value and the strengthening of the companies’ positions in their various markets. Many customers as well as employees have responded in a positive way.

“This approval additionally motivates us to seize the wide range of opportunities presented by this acquisition and to take advantage of the resulting added value.”