Kohler Co. Acquires French Generator Leader SDMO, Plus BES And SOREEL, From The Meunier Group

KOHLER, Wis. – Dec. 21 – Kohler Co.'s Global Power Group, a global leader in engines and power generator systems, has acquired SDMO Industries, SAS ("SDMO"), a worldwide leader in the manufacture of generator sets and the leader in France; Béalas Energie Services, SA ("BES"), the largest generator set maintenance company in France; and SOREEL, SAS, a company that produces electrical equipment for distribution and control panels.

Kohler Co. purchased the three companies from the privately-held Meunier Group owned by the Meunier family. Headquartered in Brest, France, the Meunier Group was comprised of a mechanical equipment manufacturing business, a ship repair business, and the three energy equipment companies of SDMO, BES and SOREEL.

"Kohler Power Systems, which is Kohler’s generator division, and SDMO together create the third largest generator manufacturing business in the world," said Kohler Global Power Group President Dick Fotsch. "This is a merger of equals, bringing together two premium companies with expert engineering, excellent products, and similar corporate cultures, given that they both are privately-held companies, well-managed and profitable."

SDMO, BES and SOREEL together employ more than 1,100 associates in France and at subsidiaries around the world. SDMO is a premium manufacturer of industrial generators up to 2,800 kW for production and standby use, and gasoline- and diesel-powered portable consumer generator sets. BES is the French leader in generator set maintenance, and SOREEL manufactures electrical control panels and automation consoles, of which SDMO is a major customer.

Kohler Power Systems is a leading manufacturer of complete power systems, including stationary, mobile and marine generator sets, automatic transfer switches, switchgear, monitoring controls, UPS systems, and accessories for emergency, prime power and energy-management applications.

Guy Coisnon, president of SDMO and SOREEL, and Deputy General Manager of BES said, "The association of each company’s strengths enables them to benefit from important synergies, giving them formidable assets for the future."
 
About Kohler Co. and Kohler Power Systems

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in the United States. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf destinations.

A division of Kohler Co.’s Global Power Group, Kohler Power Systems provides complete power systems for emergency, prime power, and energy-management applications on worldwide markets and enjoys a reputation as a premium generator brand. Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, named Kohler Power Systems the 2003 Energy Industry Company of the Year.

About Meunier Group and the Energy Division

The Meunier family founded its first industrial company 60 years ago. Headquartered in Brest, France, the Meunier Group consists of several companies specializing in the manufacture of mechanical equipment, generators and power system equipment (the Energy Division), and ship repair. The Meunier Group employs 1,800 people in France.

SDMO was established by the Meunier family in 1966. Nearly 40 years later, it has grown to be a global leader in the manufacture of gensets and the leader in France.

SDMO is a premium manufacturer of industrial generators up to 2,800 kW for production and standby use, and gasoline- and diesel-powered portable consumer generator sets. The company operates three plants in France and subsidiaries in Spain, Great Britain, Belgium, Nigeria, Singapore, the United States, Argentina and Brazil.

BES is the leading generator maintenance company in France. It is headquartered in Pontoise, a suburb of Paris, and has eight branch offices across France.

SOREEL manufactures control panels and automation consoles, and is a strategic supplier to SDMO as well as other customers in other applications. It operates two facilities at Cholet.

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