Munters to buy HB Group

SWEDEN: Munters is to acquire the HB Group, a producer of customised hygienic climate control systems for the food/dairy industries.

A leader in the field of adsorption dryers, the HB Group is a multinational company with headquarters in Almelo and offices and factories in the Czech Republic, China, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Customers include Nestle, Friesland Campina, Danone and Mars.

The company is divided into two divisions: HB Drying Systems and HB Koeltechniek, designing systems for applications from complete climate controls for businesses and offices to refrigeration equipment in a work area to -70°C.

Munters is a leader in energy efficient air treatment solutions for a wide range of industries, with the largest being the food, pharmaceutical and data centre sectors.

The agreement is said to combine the strength of Munters sales channel, software tools and service reach with HB Group’s application knowledge, product offering and customer base.

“HB Group’s seasoned management team has done a fantastic job of building a solid and successful operation that provides quality products for demanding applications,” said Scott Haynes, Munters president business area air treatment.

“Munters and HB share a strong focus on critical industrial applications. Munters will be able to expand its successful systems product portfolio to include HB Group’s world class stainless steel hygienic systems, while HB Group’s customers will benefit from the vertical integration of Munters’ innovative energy efficient technologies. This, combined with expanding our European manufacturing and service footprint, will allow us to better serve the industry.”

“We are very happy to join the global team and reach of Munters,” commented Eric Bonvanie, owner and managing director of HB Group. “Munters’ global service network will provide more local access for all our service needs and bring enormous additional potential for our solutions offering. Our existing customers will be pleased to hear that HB Group, as part of Munters, will be able to support them whenever and wherever they need. In addition, Munters will be able to offer new and further career opportunities for our employees,” added Bonvanie.

Bonvanie, who in 1984 assumed responsibility for the family business from his father, adds, “I believe our strong family culture will find a new home in Munters, sharing a long history of service and customer orientation. I really look forward to jointly achieving the best for our employees, our partners and, of course, our customers.”