The German Cartel Authority approves acquisition of Bock Kältemaschinen

GEA positions new compressor portfolio

Thanks to the approval by the German Cartel Authority on 31. March 2011, it has become possible for GEA Refrigeration Technologies GmbH, of Bochum, to legally finalize the acquisition of the company Bock Kältemaschinen GmbH, of Frickenhausen, Germany. With this acquisition, GEA’s refrigeration specialists have now rounded off their compressor portfolio downward. Proven aspects of the old company will remain after acquisition: this includes not only keeping the total of over 340 staff at the administration and production location in Frickenhausen, but also the Bock foreign plants, including their staff. The company name will also remain: GEA will market compressors from the lower output range, or those with especially compact dimensions, as “Bock compressors”. The medium-sized and large compressors that had already existed in the Group will be further positioned under the previous label “Grasso”. This size distinction will enable GEA Refrigeration Technologies to sharpen the profile of the familiar and tradition-laden Bock brand.

The location of Frickenhausen will also gain in profile: in future it will in the GEA Group represent the Competence Center for small compressors. In addition, the business branch for mobile refrigeration applications will also remain a core business of Bock, under the responsibility of GEA. Synergism effects will furthermore result in marketing on the basis of the world-wide presence of the GEA Segment Refrigeration Technologies. For existing Bock customers, their familiar sales contacts will remain responsible for the foreseeable future. The international Bock and GEA representatives will, however, in future be able to offer a more extensive portfolio of equipment and services.

The management at Frickenhausen location will consist of an experienced trio: Thies Hachfeld and Klaus Stojentin from GEA Grasso in Berlin, as well as Udo Klaussner from Bock Kältemaschinen, will guide the company. Klaus Stojentin will additionally be responsible for the process of integration.

Dr. Hugo Blaum, President of the GEA Segment Refrigeration Technologies, sees a double benefit in the acquisition of Bock. First, by rounding off the compressor portfolio downward, and second by the many possible synergism effects within the group. As Dr. Blaum summarizes: “The capacity of Bock compressors outstandingly harmonizes with many products of GEA such as the Close Control systems by GEA Denco, GEA Fricostar dehumidifiers, our Searle outdoor units, and process-engineering facilities. Being able to resort to in-house know-how and our own production facilities enhances not only the added value in GEA internally, but also allows over the middle term even better harmonization of the equipment and facility components of our companies.”