Schaffner Ltd, the market leader in EMC components and test systems, announces the sale of its Test Systems business through an MBO to a group of investors led by the present head of the division, Johannes (Johnny) Schmid. The sale of the EMC Test System business, which contributed some £13M to Schaffner group sales in 2004/2005, is the latest phase in Schaffner’s ongoing strategy to refocus the group on the growing and dynamic market for EMC components and modules.

“The sale of this business to the MBO team is ideal for both the components and test systems divisions” says Paul Dixon, Managing Director of Schaffner Ltd. “It will allow Schaffner to focus on further developing its large range of EMC components and modules. At the same time, customers of Schaffner’s test systems business will continue to be supported by a management team and employees committed to the development of EMC test equipment, software, systems and services.”

Now that Schaffner have sold their Power Electronics and EMC Test Systems business units, discussions are continuing with potential buyers of the remaining non-core business, Cable and ElectroEmulation Test. “As with the earlier two sales this last business unit will be offered at a price which reflects its realistic value”, continues Dixon.

The sale of Schaffner’s EMC Test Systems business to the current Test Division management team will ensure continuity and represents an optimal solution for all parties, particularly employees and customers. All the former test system activities will be brought together in a new group of companies with centres of competence for development, production and marketing in Luterbach, Switzerland (for conducted EMC products), Berlin (for RF products) and Wokingham, England (for systems and software development). Sales and service subsidiaries will be located in France, China, Japan, Singapore and the USA.

Schmid will be appointed as President of the new company, which will continue to develop and provide instrumentation and test systems for EMC emission and immunity. Under his leadership, the business line improved its net sales of the previous year by more than 10 percent in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.







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