We acquire and develop industrial technology companies
Annual review 2018 - Discover what our group is all about
Axel Johnson International is a privately owned industrial group that acquires and develops companies in strategic niche markets, primarily technical components and industrial process solutions. We are an active and long-term owner with a mission to drive business development and growth.
110 strong companies – 5 competitive business groups
We believe our companies develop best in partnership with others in the same sector. By building and developing business groups in strategic niche areas we encourage joint initiatives and knowledge sharing. We are stronger together!
We’re like a big family, offering a home for both the company and its people.
In good company
Experience our supportive environment and decentralised leadership by learning about some of our companies through the stories below.
Our latest acquisitions
Generalcontrol
Expanded offering of fluid handling solutions in Italy. Business group Fluid Handling Solutions, AxFlow, has acquired Generalcontrol, effective 19 June. Generalcontrol is a recognised pump distributor in the Italian market mainly serving the process and sanitary industry.
JokiLaakeri
Strengthened offering of mechanical power transmissions in Finland. Nomo, part of business group Power Transmission Solutions, strengthens its offering in the Finnish market by the acquisition of JokiLaakeri, effective 14 June.
Altec France
Expanded offering in dock and loading equipment in France. Forankra France, part of Transport Solutions, has acquired Altec France, effective 24 May. Altec France is a provider of dedicated professional technical solutions in docking equipment, with a leading position in ramps.
VIP Tehnika
Fluid handling solutions offering grows in the Balkans. Fluid Handling Solutions business group, AxFlow, has acquired VIP Tehnika, effective 26 April. VIP Tehnika is a Slovenian service and distribution company of centrifugal pumps, serving many of its neighboring countries in the Balkan region.
Innva
Expanded offering in fluid handling solutions in Norway. Fluid Handling Solutions business group, AxFlow, has acquired Innva AS, effective 29 April. Innva is a technical distributor of premium valves and piping solutions for the water and wastewater segment in Norway.
GT Water Technologies.
Australian fluid-handling service grows.
Brown Brothers Engineers/Kelair Pumps, part of Fluid Handling Solutions, is strengthening its service offering with the acquisition of GT Water Technologies. GT Water Technologies is a family-owned company specialised in services around fire water tanks to the building and fire safety markets in the Melbourne area.
IWRC
Extending cargo securing business in Poland. The Transport Solutions business group strengthened its position in the Polish market for lifting and cargo securing by acquiring IWRC Sp. z o o. IWRC sells commercial wire rope to distributors and lifting & lashing products to distributors and end-users. They also provide maintenance and technical consulting.
Arkov
Entering Czech power transmission market. Axel Johnson International’s Power Transmission Solutions business group is entering the Czech Republic’s power transmission market with the acquisition of a majority stake in Arkov s.r.o., one of the country’s largest distributors of SKF. Arkov has a strong position on the local market that will strengthen and complement Industrial Solutions’ product and service offering and expand its geographical footprint.
Marindus group
Entering UK market for driveline systems. Axel Johnson International is expanding its driveline business via the acquisition of Marindus Group Ltd. The company comprises driveline specialist Marine and Industrial Transmissions Ltd and AtZ Marine Technologies Ltd. MIT are experts in the design, supply and installation of custom-made solutions for marine and industrial driveline systems. AtZ provides a full consultative service to multiple aspects of above and below the waterline components.
AMC
Lifting Solutions adds sensor expertise. Axel Johnson International’s Lifting Solutions business group has acquired Italy-based AMC S.R.L, which specializes in magneto-inductive technologies for non-destructive testing of steel wire ropes. AMC’s global customer base includes such industry leaders as the Schindler Group, a world-wide maker of elevators.
OCS
Entering market for industrial automation. Axel Johnson International has entered the market for overhead conveying solutions and industrial automation by acquiring a majority stake in OCS AB. Headquartered in Borås, Sweden, OCS provides high quality overhead conveyors systems for the automotive, aviation and general industries and has a particularly strong presence in the Nordic region and central Europe.
Crest Process Engineering
Wider coverage for UK fluid handling business. Axel Johnson International’s Fluid Handling Solutions business group, AxFlow, has acquired Crest Process Engineering Limited. The company has a strong regional presence in southwest England and south Wales, selling pumps, spares, systems, ancillary equipment and service/repair. Its main markets are food & beverage, chemicals, industrial and marine.
Brown Brothers / Kelair
Entering Australia and New Zealand pump markets. Axel Johnson International has taken the next step in its geographic expansion outside Europe by acquiring Brown Brothers/Kelair, the market-leading distributor of positive displacement and centrifugal pumps in Australia and New Zealand. With 15 locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, Brown Brothers/Kelair sells to users and resellers in industrial segments as well as agriculture and municipalities.
Passerotti
Stronger in seals and bearings in Poland. Axel Johnson International has acquired Passerotti sp. z.o.o., a Polish niche distributor of technical seals and bearings. Passerotti is a significant player in the Polish market with about 11,000 customers present in both MRO and OEM segments and excellent capacity for making tailored sealing solutions.