Stockholm, Sweden-based Atlas Copco AB last week acquired BEMT Tryckluft AB, Sweden, and its subsidiary companies in Lithuania and Latvia. The company has a turnover of approximately U.S. $6.9 million and 40 employees. In a separate deal, Atlas Copco Italia S.p.A. signed a contract to acquire the industrial division of the ABAC Group S.p.A., a manufacturer of piston rings for the industrial market with more than U.S. $200 million in annual volume.

BEMT Tryckluft AB, based in Malmo, Sweden, has been active in compressors and compressed air equipment for more than 20 years. It is an important distributor on the Swedish compressed air market and is especially strong in the southern part of Sweden. The company is also active in the Baltic States under the name Baltair.

BEMT Tryckluft AB is a stable, profitable company. Its aftermarket team has extensive knowledge and logistics channels for servicing many different compressor brands, Atlas Copco officials said.

"The acquisition is in line with Atlas Copco's multi-brand strategy. Through the acquisition we will be able to offer our Swedish customers a wider and more complete range of industrial compressed air equipment," said Ronnie Leten, business area president, Atlas Copco Compressor Technique.

BEMT Tryckluft AB will be part of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique's Industrial Air division. BEMT will represent the Ceccato brand.

The preliminary purchase price for Torino-based ABAC is about U.S. $153 million. Atlas Copco officials said the acquisition, pending approval of anti-trust authorities in Sweden and Italy, would increase the company’s share of the piston compressor market. The company will also become part of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division.