Balzers, Liechtenstein, 20 February 2018 – Oerlikon has acquired DIARC Technology Oy, a provider of surface engineering technologies and services in Finland. The acquisition will enhance the range of technologies provided by Oerlikon Balzers in the automotive and precision components industries and expand its portfolio of surface treatments.
The DIARC facility in Espoo, Finland
After the successful signing of the contract (left to right): Markus Grammes - Project Manager Innovation ThinFilm Automotive, Oerlikon Balzers Jonas Lundberg - General Manager Oerlikon Balzers Sweden & Finland Jukka Kolehmainen - President of DIARC-Technology Oy Klaus Schwebel - Global HR Business Partner BU Automotive Solutions, Oerlikon Paula Kokare - Project Manager M&A, Oerlikon Avrath Chadha - Head of Business Line ThinFilm Automotive, Oerlikon Balzers Jochen Weyandt - Head of Business Unit Automotive Solutions, Oerlikon Jürgen Becker - Head of Engineering PVD ThinFilm Automotive, Oerlikon Balzers Tapani Haikola - Vice President of DIARC-Technology Oy
DIARC Technology Oy, a Finnish company founded in 1993, manufactures thin-film coatings that improve the performance and durability of tools and precision components. The company currently has 16 employees developing DIARC® FCAPAD (Filtered Cathodic Arc Plasma Accelerator Deposition) coating technologies and servicing customers with ta-C structured amorphous diamond, functional carbon and metal nanocomposite thin films as well as ultra-dense metal nitride and metal oxide coatings, all at a very low deposition temperature of less than 100º C.
This acquisition represents the next stage in Oerlikon Balzers’ strategy to increase growth in the automotive industry and to enhance the service it provides to its customers. As well as increasing Oerlikon Balzers’ footprint in Finland, DIARC adds new functional coatings for surface adaptation, advanced functionalities and surface protection. Oerlikon Balzers will therefore be able to provide additional expertise and a broader portfolio of surface treatments to its customers worldwide in R&D, coating services, process development and equipment.
The acquisition agreement was signed on 4 January 2018 and officially completed on 19 February 2018. The acquisition means that DIARC will become part of a technology leader in surface solutions, backed up by the Oerlikon Balzers global R&D and production network. All day-to-day operations in the existing location, as well as business and cooperation with DIARC customers and partners, will continue as usual, now as part of Oerlikon Balzers. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
“DIARC offers unique and innovative surface solutions to its customers in Europe based on their high levels of expertise and experience. As a highly specialised service company in the tools and precision components market, DIARC will further enhance our portfolio of ta-C solutions for the automotive market and strengthen our footprint in the Scandinavia region. This acquisition sees us further accelerate the global expansion of our services. DIARC solutions perfectly complement our existing technology and coating portfolio, introducing a new surface technology in addition to what we currently offer. We welcome on board DIARC’s team of talented and highly skilled engineers”, said Jochen Weyandt, Head of Business Unit Automotive Solutions, Oerlikon.
