Endress+Hauser has acquired a stake in Finesse Solutions, a US company that develops, produces and distributes sensors, hardware and software for bioprocess engineering.
Endress+Hauser aims to strengthen its position in the area of biotechnology through this cooperation.
"Biotechnological procedures will play an increasingly important role in the future, not only in the life sciences industry but also in other industries such as the chemical industry to manufacture products in a more environmentally friendly and economical fashion," says Klaus Endress, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group.
"Our partnership with Finesse offers us the possibility of gaining experience in this area without neglecting our core business."
Finesse Solutions will profit from leveraging the know-how of the new strategic relationship to extend its product portfolio and to enhance its global sales and service capabilities. The two companies intend to cooperate closely in relation to products, markets and customers, and to complement each other, for example, in the provision of global after-market services to bioprocess end users.
"Endress+Hauser and Finesse Solutions have many common customers who can profit from this cooperation," says Finesse CEO Barbara A Paldus.
The Finesse product platform includes a portfolio of disposable sensors, modular configure-to-order automation hardware and intelligent software that can harmonise global bio-process information and technology transfer.
Finesse also offers a complete set of services including startup, commissioning and validation for rapid and reliable deployment of single-use equipment into cGMP manufacturing applications.
The previous majority shareholder, Skymoon Ventures, will hold an equal stake to Endress+Hauser. The company staff of around 50 will maintain ownership in the company. Endress+Hauser will elect two representatives to the Board of Directors, which Barbara A Paldus will continue to chair.
[Image courtesy Finesse Solutions.]