Spectris announced that Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration (‘BKSV’) and Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik (HBM), both operating companies within the Test and Measurement segment of Spectris and having complementary expertise across the measurement chain, will merge "to create a business with the capabilities, breadth and scale to deliver differentiated customer value, for example, in the domains of propulsion, durability, safety, and noise, vibration and harshness."
Founded in Germany in 1950, Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH (HBM Test and Measurement) is a technology and market leader in the field of test and measurement. HBM's product range comprises solutions for the entire measurement chain, from virtual to physical testing. The company has production facilities in Germany, USA, China, and Portugal and is represented in over 80 countries worldwide.
According to the announcement by Spectris, preparation activities ahead of the merger will take place through the remainder of 2018. Both BKSV and HBM are global market leaders in their respective disciplines. BKSV´s strength is in sound, noise and vibration, while HBM focuses on reliability, durability, propulsion efficiency, electrical properties, industrial process control and weighing. "The merger will build on the best from each company and their respective capabilities," Spectris says.
The merger between the two companies will also be reflected in the name of the new company – HBK (Hottinger, Brüel & Kjær). "By combining the strengths of two market leaders within their fields, HBK will have the critical mass and competencies to actively drive the digital transformation of our customers’ industries, and will be able to deliver even greater value to our customers around the world. All existing agreements, points of contact, procedures, partnerships etc. will continue as is," the announcement states.
A new management team has been selected, drawing on the strengths and expertise from both BKSV and HBM, and they will be in place from 1 July 2018. HBK will be operational under the new structure from 1 January 2019. Eoghan O’Lionaird, Business Group Director responsible for the Test and Measurement segment, says: “Brüel & Kjær and HBM are both premium hardware providers in measurement with a strong focus on software. By combining their activities, the two companies can deliver an integrated offering, combining sensors, data acquisition, preparation, evaluation and engineering services into one solution for its customers. This aligns closely with the Spectris strategy of focusing on the provision of complete solutions combining hardware, software and related services, and will enable us to provide a broader service offering and increased value to BKSV and HBM customers.”
www.spectris.com | www.bksv.com | www.hbm.com
