The Switzerland-based Rieter Group has signed an agreement to purchase Berkol, the textile components business unit of Switzerland-based Huber+Suhner AG, for an undisclosed price, effective Jan. 1, 2008. The acquisition includes the Berkol business, employees and trademark rights. Berkol will be integrated into Switzerland-based Bräcker AG, a company within Rieter’s Textile Systems Division, for the purpose of expanding the division’s technology components product offerings.

Berkol designs and manufactures cots and aprons for spinning machines, and equipment and machinery to service and maintain such components. The business employs 23 people and generates annual sales of approximately 11 million Swiss francs (US$9.8 million). Bräcker is a manufacturer of ring travelers and spinning rings for ring-spinning machines, and employs some 75 people. The two companies serve the same global market.

Going forward, Huber+Suhner will focus on its core business of providing electrical and optical connectivity solutions. “The sale of the [Berkol] unit to Rieter offers Berkol the best basis for continuing and sustaining its development as part of the core business of a worldwide active, leading Swiss group,” said Urs Kaufmann, CEO, Huber+Suhner.

Source: Textileworld