Significant events within the Group

Beijer Electronics enters a new and exciting phase, the key feature being our listing on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in June, implying Beijer Electronics achieving the status of an independent quoted corporation

In October Beijer Electronics incorporates up a subsidiary in Stuttgart, Germany. The intention is to support and develop the group's operator systems sales channel on the German market through technical support and servicing, and by processing selected end-customers. 
       
As a consequence of Stena Sessan acquiring 25 per cent of its shares in late December, Beijer Electronics gains a new main owner.

In order to create clear responsibilities and an increased focus on each market, a new organization is introduced at the turn of a the year. Operations are divided into two business areas - HMI Products and Automation.

In June, Beijer Electronics acquires the agency company Autic System - one of the leading suppliers of SCADA systems in Sweden. The acquisition is strategically important and means that Beijer Electronics strengthens its product range within automation.

In March 2005 Beijer Electronics acquires the Taiwanese company Hitech Electronics - a renowned player in the sector, with sales focused mainly on Asia.
The acquisition brings Beijer Electronics a strategic network of sales channels for the group’s proprietary operator terminals on the high-growth Asian market. This means the group becoming a genuine global player in HMI products (Human Machine Interface).

In early April, Beijer Electronics decided to incorporate a subsidiary in Shanghai, China. Through Hitech, the group already has a local distributor in China. The primary purpose of the Chinese subsidiary is to support the local distributor and service the market as part of the launch of Beijer Electronics’ EXTER terminals in China.

In June, Beijer Electronics signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Electric to take over the distribution rights to its agencies in Denmark and the Baltic region, and those agencies Automation did not already possess in Finland. Coincident with this deal, Mitsubishi Electric acquired 15 per cent of the Automation business area. This deal gave the Automation business area new growth opportunities, while simultaneously conferring long-term stability and security to business, and our relations with Mitsubishi Electrics.

Building on the deal with Mitsubishi Electric, Automation acquired parts of UTU Powel of Finland’s automation segment operations in Finland and the Baltic countries. The deal was closed in October. The objective is to further enhance and increase regional market shares, and increase the sales of Beijer Electronics’ proprietary HMI products.

On January 1, Beijer Electronics takes over the agency for Mitsubishi Electric products in the Danish market. At the same time a new subsidiary and an office outside of Copenhagen was formed. The aim was to build an organization on the Danish market to sell Automation's entire product range, including the Group's proprietary operator terminals.

In March, Beijer Electronics signed an agreement to acquire the Danish automation company Brodersen Automation A / S. The acquisition gave Beijer Electronics a valuable customer base in Denmark and also a complementary product portfolio for the entire Nordic and Baltic markets.

In June business area HMI Products acquired the German HMI company Lauer. The acquisition was another milestone for Beijer Electronics. Lauer gave the group a very strategic position and strengthened HMI Products presence in the key German market. Germany is Europe's largest single market for automation products.

In December, Beijer Electronics signed an agreement to acquire the Swedish company Westermo Industrial Telecom AB. Westermo is active in industrial data communication, which is a rapidly growing field in automation.

2008

Westermo is part of the Beijer Electronics group and from January 1 forms a separate business area, Industrial Data Communications (IDC), within the Group.

2010

In October, QSI Corporation was acquired, a leading American producer of robust operator panels and mobile data terminals. The acquisition substantially expands sales and support channels together with a broader product range of operator terminals. QSI Corporation was included in the business area HMI Products. The acquisition was an important part of Beijer Electronics' growth strategy adding a significant presence in North America.

In December Beijer Electronics signed an agreement to acquire the Taiwanese technology and industrial data communications company Korenix Technology Co., Ltd. With the acquisition the cooperation between the subsidiaries is intensified and Korenix together with Westermo constitute Beijer Electronics’ business area IDC. The acquisition was an important part of Beijer Electronics’ growth plan in Asia and for business area Industrial Data Communications (IDC).

2011

In December, Beijer Electronics opened an office in Pune, India, further expanding its geographic coverage to drive organic growth and strengthen local support of customers around the world. The entry into India followed the establishment of a new subsidiary in Brazil in September 2011.

The new offices, situated in Pune, India, and São Paulo, Brazil, work closely together with Beijer Electronics’ existing local partners in the area, and handle the entire portfolio of Beijer Electronics’ in-house developed products.