Austria-based Rosendahl Nextrom has acquired UK battery equipment specialist TBS Engineering, bringing together two established suppliers of lead-acid and lithium-ion battery production technology.
The deal combines the battery manufacturing activities of Rosendahl Nextrom’s BM-Rosendahl division with Gloucester-based TBS Engineering, creating a broader portfolio covering ActivMat plate manufacturing, autoloading, enveloping, cast-on-strap (COS), assembly systems and lithium-ion battery production lines.
The companies said the acquisition would allow closer cooperation in research and development while expanding customer support and service capabilities.
TBS Engineering will continue with COS, asssembly and ActivMat
Under the arrangement, both brands will continue to focus on their existing areas of expertise. BM-Rosendahl will concentrate on enveloping technology with autoloading systems and lithium-ion battery machinery, while TBS Engineering will continue developing its COS, assembly and ActivMat technologies.
Gerhard Jakopic, chief executive of Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH, said: “This move marks a major opportunity not only for our company, but for the entire industry. We are confident that our customers and employees alike will benefit from this acquisition.”
Siegfried Altmann, chief executive of Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH, described the deal as strategically complementary.
“This acquisition is a strong strategic fit,” he said. “BM-Rosendahl and TBS are highly complementary, with clearly defined roles, focused development, and a long-term strategic perspective.”
The acquisition brings together two companies with strong positions in battery manufacturing equipment, particularly in lead-acid battery production. TBS Engineering is known for its COS, assembly and plate preparation systems, while BM-Rosendahl supplies high-speed enveloping equipment and has expanded into lithium-ion battery manufacturing machinery in recent years.
Richard Taylor, managing director of TBS Engineering, said: “TBS has built its reputation on engineering quality, customer obsession and market leading solutions for battery manufacturing. Joining Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH opens a new chapter for TBS. Together with BM-Rosendahl, we see the opportunity to build on our core competences and create even more value for customers across the industry.”
The companies said customers would benefit from greater international support, closer collaboration between engineering teams and a broader platform for future product development.
Richard Jonach, SBU director at BM-Rosendahl, highlighted the potential for increased production speeds.
“The industry standard currently stands at 4.5 batteries per minute. Together, we have clear ambitions to exceed this benchmark significantly,” he said. “With TBS, we are bringing together highly complementary competencies in a targeted manner.”
The transaction further consolidates the battery manufacturing equipment sector, bringing together two suppliers whose technologies span much of the lead-acid battery production process while also providing access to lithium-ion manufacturing expertise
Photo: (left to right) Jon Curtis, financial director, TBS; Steve Sharpe, technical director, TBS; Richard Jonach, business unit director, BM-Rosendahl; Richard Taylor, managing director, TBS; Mark Gardiner, sales director, TBS; Gerhard Jakopic, CEO, Rosendahl Nextrom
Credit: Rosendahl Nextrom
