Oerlikon today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Laser Cladding Services in Houston, Texas, the US, a company specialised in laser cladding applications for the energy industry. The acquisition extends and improves Oerlikon Metco’s service offering in laser cladding and opens up access to key customers in the US energy sector.
"The business of Laser Cladding Services, LLC. is an ideal fit to our existing surface solutions business. It enhances our existing laser cladding offering and broadens our service portfolio. Furthermore, it opens up attractive business opportunities in the energy market and in other geographic regions and industries," comments Dr. Roland Herb, CEO of the Oerlikon Surface Solutions Segment, which Oerlikon Metco is part of.
Laser cladding is a state-of-the-art surface technology using a laser beam to deposit materials and layers onto a substrate or to fabricate near-net shape parts. The method enables a full metallurgical bond to the base material, which in turn improves corrosion resistance and wear properties. In addition, laser cladding makes it possible to coat thin-walled components and also thinner layers can be applied than with PTA or traditional weld overlay. These advantages make laser cladding particularly suitable for applications in demanding areas where a high degree of accuracy and performance is needed, such as with turbine blades, drilling equipment and pump components in the energy sector.
The acquisition of the business of Laser Cladding Services not only strengthens Oerlikon Metco’s existing laser cladding business, but is also complementary with its thermal spray offering, thereby broadening the portfolio of services for customers. The acquisition allows Oerlikon Metco to extend its footprint in North America and also in the energy and oil & gas sectors, in which laser cladding is largely applied.
"We are happy to welcome Laser Cladding Services in the Oerlikon Metco family. We are already doing business successfully in this exciting field of industry and I am looking forward to the positive stimuli for our technology and service portfolio that his acquisition will bring," says David Franz, head of business line thermal spray services at Oerlikon Metco.
Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.