Penn Elcom GmbH has acquired
Netherlands based flightcase manufacturer Flightware BV in a very amicable
agreement which will strengthen and diversify The Penn Elcom Group’s flight case
product design capabilities and ranges yet further.
The agreement was reached between
Thomas Mostert CEO of Penn Elcom GmbH, the distribution arm of the Penn Elcom
Group in Continental Europe, and Marcel Vlot, MD of Flightware, who is now planning
to leave the industry to pursue other interests.
Roger Willems, Chairman of the Penn
Elcom Group comments, “Marcel is delighted that his business has been delivered
into good hands, and that the innovation and standing that he’s built up over
the last 30 years of dedication to the industry will be continued.
He adds that Flightware’s history of
producing high quality hardware and accessories for flightcase construction is
a natural match with Penn Elcom’s core business. The operation was also
extremely well connected and respected.
Flightware had a number of exciting
new designs in the pipeline that Penn Elcom will now bring to the market, and
these, plus existing Flightware products will be available worldwide through
the Penn Elcom distribution network.
The move is part of a steady on-going
expansion strategy by Penn Elcom geared to consolidating its worldwide
operation and enhancing the brand’s already considerable reputation for quality,
dynamic product ranges, efficiency and the very best service and support.
The company recently gained a
majority shareholding in Chinese based 19 inch rack manufacturer, Forsight. and
has also ramped up its general production capacity in Hastings, UK.
Over a million pounds worth of
investment last year has boosted the floor space in Hastings,
accompanied by a complete tooling upgrade and addition of the latest Trumpf machinery
to the existing suites – making it the largest concentration of Trumpf
technology in Europe.
This is all very timely, as Penn has
just landed a major OEM deal from Latin America worth £1.8 million, so the
newly revamped Hastings plant will be busy for the next two years!
