ESAB acquired by Colfax Corporation

Effective Friday, January 13, 2012, Charter International plc, owner of ESAB, has been acquired by Colfax Corporation.  

Colfax Corporation, based in Fulton MD, is a diversified industrial manufacturing company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Charter International plc resided in Ireland and was the parent of two leading businesses:  ESAB, a global leader in the welding products industry, and Howden, a premier manufacturer of heavy-duty air and gas handling equipment.    

"We are very excited by the future potential and enhanced opportunities that this acquisition will bring to ESAB," said Clay Kiefaber, Colfax CEO. "Colfax Corporation is a leading manufacturing company with a proven operating system – the Colfax Business System – and is solidly focused on customer needs and the development of strong brands. This is a perfect fit for ESAB, which is a global leader in the welding industry – a position it has attained by building strong partnerships with its customers and by creating a brand that is trusted worldwide."

ESAB employs over 8,500 people worldwide, and is one of the leading manufacturers in the global welding industry. ESAB has sales and support locations in 80 countries, and 26 manufacturing facilities across 4 continents.

ABOUT COLFAX CORPORATION — Colfax Corporation is a diversified global manufacturing and engineering company that provides gas- and fluid-handling and fabrication technology products and services to commercial and governmental customers around the world under the Howden, Colfax Fluid Handling and ESAB brands. Colfax believes that its brands are among the most highly recognized in each of the markets that it serves. Colfax is traded on the NYSE under the ticker "CFX."

ABOUT ESAB — ESAB is one of the world's largest and most experienced manufacturers of welding and cutting equipment and welding filler metals with a history dating back to 1904. Recognized as the technological leader in the industry, ESAB is committed to providing cost effective solutions for its customers.