8 INDUSTRY NEWS


Pulp Paper & Logistics


Finnish engineering group acquired by Protacon


projects. With the transaction, completed in January, the company says it becomes a leading service provider for the pulp, paper and energy industries. Commenting on the merger, Timo Akselin, chief executive of Protacon, said: “We will represent a novel player in the industrial integration market combining industrial expert services and system deliveries to create a more coherent ensemble. In the future, the customer can get everything from a single source: one independent supplier will provide engineering design, automation systems, electric drives, condition monitoring and production quality assurance, as well as Industry 4.0 solutions


T


echnology specialist Protacon has purchased Descal, a global operator in industrial investment


continue to use its former name and current management group operating as a 100 percent owned affiliate of Protacon. Kimmo Kerttula, managing


Timo Akselin from Protacon shakes on the deal with Descal’s Kimmo Kerttula


and tools for management by knowledge. “The industrial revolution


creates new demand to which this combination efficiently responds, providing at the same time new opportunities for the best players of the industry.”


Protacon operates from ten


locations in Finland. Descal has offices in Kouvola and Mikkeli and employs around 50 people. With the transaction, Protacon will employ more than 300 with sales exceeding €30 million in 2018. Initially, Descal Engineering Oy will


director of Descal Engineering, added: “The merger of Descal and Protacon creates a possibility to expand to a market that has been until now impossible to the two companies on their own. The merger enables us to better develop our operations in areas in which we are already strong, such as our engineering and calculation knowhow for seismic regions. Protacon brings strong competence in electrical, instrumentation and automation fields; therefore we will be able to offer our customers more extensive service packages in the future. Activities in international markets will also be easier, as we can cater to our customers’ needs from one source.”


Sappi to expand its speciality paper business in Europe


Leading pulp and paper maker Sappi Limited has agreed to buy the business of Italian speciality paper maker Cham Paper Group Holding AG (CPG) for CHF146.5 million (US$149 million). The deal involves CPG’s Carmignano and Condino Mills in Italy and its digital imaging business at Cham in Switzerland. The acquisition is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2018.


January/February 2018 South Africa-based Sappi says


the acquisition will strengthen its speciality and packaging papers footprint in Europe and add 160,000 tons of speciality paper capacity. Commenting on the


transaction, Sappi Limited’s chief executive Steve Binnie said: “This acquisition further strengthens Sappi’s speciality paper business both in Europe and globally by combining Cham’s strong


brands and assets with Sappi’s global reach. This transaction will increase profitability and unlock the significant growth and innovation potential inherent within the speciality paper market. I am very pleased that we have taken another signification step towards realizing our Vision2020 goal.” Berry Wiersum, chief executive of Sappi Europe, said: “We are very excited about the


possibilities this transaction opens up for Sappi as well as for Cham’s highly-respected business. The products and brands which have been acquired are an excellent complement to our market offering, enabling us to offer our existing, as well as new, customers in Europe, North America and globally, a broader range of products coupled with excellent customer service.”


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