Busch Acquires VESCO-McLaughlin-A Pattern
Earlier this week “The Monty Heat Treat News” was the first to announce the acquisition of the VESCO Division of McLaughlin Furnace Group by Busch Vacuum Solutions US. The news was not unexpected and represents a very good business decision by both groups in the humble opinion of “The Monty Heat Treat News” (the original press release can be found further down this page).
Busch has been very open about their ambitions to grow their share of the market when it comes to the heat treating industry-witness their acquisition of Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE) in the UK back in 2021 (details are below). From all reports this has been a tremendous success and Busch has been eager to take this model to other regions, hence the acquisition of VESCO, a company remarkably similar in their product offerings to VFE.
In addition in a recent visit by “The Monty Heat Treat News” to Busch, Canada, the company pointed out that they are actively growing their offerings to the vacuum heat treat industry-again the details can be found below. The sale is also a very strong win for McLaughlin Furnace Group. Founded by Jeff McLaughlin in 2007 as a furnace maintenance and repair shop it has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years, growth which is partially based on some very interesting and innovative designs for endothermic generators, batch IQ furnaces, tempers and carbottom furnaces.
The sale will allow McLaughlin to concentrate on their core competentcies, while at the same time giving the company very substantial financial resources to allow for further growth and expansion. We look forward with bated breath to see the future plans of both Busch and McLaughlin.
“JANUARY 26, 2023; Busch Outlines Ambitions Plans for the Future | The Monty; “The Monty Heat Treat News” was recently invited to the Mississauga, Canada facility of Busch Vacuum Solutions (2nd largest of three sites in Canada). Busch Group (based in Germany) is one of the world’s largest suppliers of industrial vacuum solutions (pumps, systems, service) and during our visit, we learned that the company has very ambitious plans of expanding their service offerings to the heat treatment industry.The service offering in Canada, will be accelerated by leveraging resources and staff of Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE) in the UK, acquired by the Busch UK division 2021. VFE is a company dedicated to servicing the vacuum furnace industry, from vacuum and thermal audit to hot zone replacement and total overhaul. Already offering full warranty overhaul of all vacuum pump/blower makes, the team in Canada is also aggressively entering the leak detection business, utilizing instruments designed and built by Pfeiffer Vacuum – the companies are linked by Busch Group (Global) share ownership. In addition to other plans in Canada, an ISO certified metrology lab will be established, with service delivery planned by Q4 2023. “Our focus on service in the metallurgy market, including all vacuum furnace and coating applications, is also a response to demand”, as Sean Duffin Director of Business Development, explains, “…it’s a byproduct of the aging technical work force and retirement of that knowledge from the workplace. We’re expanding our technical workforce and using the knowledge/expertise of the Busch Global network of companies to grow.”
Busch, with approximately 90 staff, operates in Canada through four locations, Montreal/Mississauga/Calgary/
“AUGUST 10, 2021; Busch Vacuum Solutions Acquires Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE). Busch (UK) Ltd, part of the global Busch Vacuum Solutions group, has acquired Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE). Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Busch (UK), the move enables both VFE and Busch (UK) to strengthen their leading vacuum solutions and services for UK metallurgy and composites manufacturers.Since 1985, VFE has provided vacuum services, specialist equipment, control and calibration solutions to heat treatment and advanced material manufacturers in the UK. Their long-term commitment to these market segments, their applications knowledge and service mindset has enabled VFE to become the market-leaders in their field.
Busch (UK) has 50 years of experience in providing individual and tailor-made vacuum solutions and services to Customers in a wide range of market segments, including food, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, semicon, medical and metallurgy. The full portfolio of vacuum technology is continuously developed by the Busch group to ensure that customers are provided with the lowest total cost of ownership.
Operationally, the VFE subsidiary will remain focused on the markets and customers that benefit from the team’s expertise in vacuum metallurgy and composites. The existing Busch UK business will continue to serve customers under the Busch brand. Together, Busch and VFE will share their vacuum expertise, solutions, and service capabilities, to enable an even more comprehensive range of vacuum solutions to the benefit of all their customers.
“The advanced manufacturing industry needs to ensure quality in every process” David Byrne, CEO of VFE, explains. “For much of the industry, that’s synonymous with the product. But our commitment to helping our customers achieve perfect production and keep their businesses running hinges on more than the quality of parts produced. In order for us to deliver these promises, the integrity of our services is paramount. Under Busch’s ownership, we look forward to serving our customers with extended product offerings, best practices and Busch’s global service network. This will maximise the value that we offer and will help more Customers improve their operations.”
Tim Hulbert, Managing Director of Busch (UK), concluded, “This is an exciting time for the new Busch UK team. 2021 is our 50th anniversary in the UK and the acquisition of VFE marks a significant commitment by the Busch group to the UK market, ensuring we are well positioned for further long-term service and growth. I’m delighted to welcome our new VFE colleagues and look forward to delivering the combined benefits of our vacuum solutions for metallurgy and advanced materials to the UK market and further afield. VFE’s portfolio of services, including calibration and control expertise, will also benefit our customers in other critical market sectors. We are stronger together and uniquely positioned to help UK manufacturers become more productive and sustainable through the application of our Busch vacuum solutions.”
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