Vahterus Acquires U.S. Heat-Exchanger Manufacturer Harliss Specialties

In a deal that boosts its supply-chain capabilities in North America, Finnish manufacturer Vahterus has acquired the U.S. company Harliss Specialties

The acquisition was announced in a joint press release by the two companies on December 8 and takes effect immediately.

Harliss Specialties, based in Irwin, Pennsylvania, manufactures ASME-code pressure vessels and heat exchangers. The company began operations in 1960.

Vahterus specializes in making custom plate-and-shell heat exchangers (PSHEs) for ammonia/NH3 (R717) and CO2 (R744) applications. The acquisition of Harliss is part of Vahterus’s global expansion program and will also support Harliss’s existing revenue streams and complement its current business.

“Investment in the [new U.S.] production facilities will commence immediately, and it is expected that the production of Vahterus products will be possible by mid-2022, to enhance the current product offering of Harliss,” the joint statement said.

“With our manufacturing headquarters in Finland providing the foundation for our business, we are delighted to have our own U.S.-based facilities to support this region, similar in principal to our APAC manufacturing center in China,” said Mauri Kontu, CEO and Owner of the Vahterus Group. “The fundamental ethics and culture of Harliss are an ideal match with those of Vahterus, and we look forward to combining skills.”

“We have proved that there’s a market for Vahterus PSHE, and aligning with the pressure-vessel expertise of Harliss will help get product[s] to market in a significantly shorter time frame, as well as at a competitive price,” added Jonathan Pascoe, President of Vahterus Americas.

“We are pleased to announce that Harliss have been welcomed into the Vahterus Group of companies,” said Jason Harkobusic, Vice President of Harliss Specialties. “The acquisition further strengthens our position in the heat-exchanger market and will better serve our customer base.”

“As with all important business decisions, we will work closely with our clients, partners and employees to make the integration as smooth as possible,” Harkobusic noted.

A year ago, Vahterus launched a new ammonia condenser developed primarily for the heat-pump market. The unit is also suitable for other condensing applications, such as steam condensers.

The company has also embraced the opportunities provided by virtual reality. Earlier this year Vahterus launched a 3D, augmented-reality model of its PSHE unit, enabling customers to interact online with the product and get a deeper understanding of its benefits.

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