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Norwegian equity fund snaps up life-saving firms

Norwegian equity fund snaps up life-saving firms
Private equity company Herkules is set to acquire life-saving equipment manufacturers Umoe Schat-Harding and Noreq, thereby capitalising on the two companies' projected combined revenues of $208m for 2013. Both are suppliers of lifeboats, rescue boats, davits, cranes, fenders and other life-saving systems, and Herkules is understood to be interested in the growing offshore market, especially in the North Sea.

Schat-Harding is a highly established player in the maritime safety market with production facilities in Europe, Asia and the US and the world's largest service network spanning 13 different countries, and has won records with its FF1200 freefall lifeboats. Noreq is a relatively young company formed in 2006, which has already sold as many as 4,200 units.

“The new regulations for lifeboats on the Norwegian Continental Shelf will be an important growth driver for Schat-Harding as market leader,” says Morten Blix, Senior Partner of Herkules. “At the same time, Schat-Harding and Noreq combined will be able to lead the market internationally in relation to the offshore, cruise and merchant fleet segments.”

“Schat-Harding and Noreq complement each other in an excellent manner,” says Styrk Bekkenes, Noreq md. “By combining the expertise and ability to deliver of both companies, our customers will be able to rely on us even more in terms of equipment deliveries, good service and costs.”