Wilo has acquired all shares in the joint venture Mating (Shanghai) Membrane Technology Co Ltd, a company that specialises in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment.
Wilo has also increased its stake in the German-Chinese joint venture Guhong (Shanghai) Environmental Engineering Equipment Co Ltd, a specialist in flood control, to 75%, and therefore acquiring a majority interest.
With these strategic acquisitions, Wilo is expanding its water management portfolio, as well as its manufacturing capacity and direct market access in China and adding around 80 employees.
“Thanks to the acquisitions, we can offer our customers an even wider range of solutions and implement local projects even quicker and from a single source,” said Oliver Hermes, president and CEO of the Wilo Group. “We’re also consistently pursuing our strategic development towards becoming a solutions provider for all applications in the transport, use and treatment of water and sewage.”
The two companies will be integrated into Wilo’s Water Treatment Strategic Business Unit. However, the companies will continue to be led by local managers in Shanghai and remain economically independent.
“Wilo’s market expertise and the two companies’ special solutions are the ideal combination to exploit the potentials of the Chinese market together,” said Dr Patrick Niehr, member of the executive board and chief commercial officer of the Wilo Group.
“The Wilo Group’s global distribution network and in particular the excellent set-up in China are an ideal base for tapping into other Asian markets,” added Hermes. “With these acquisitions and the further diversification of the portfolio, we’re taking the next step in our growth strategy and strengthening our regional presence.”
