Growing demand for pickling – FASE acquires WeBeS

Wermlands Betning & Service AB was founded in 1996, and the part of the business dealing with surface treatment of metals, known as pickling, is now being acquired by FASE Holding AB.

Pickling is a method for treating stainless products through a so-called pickling bath or spray pickling. Wermlands Betning & Service, also known as WeBeS, has in its premises in Kil West Sweden's largest pickling vat. The company can also spray pickle on site at the customer when shipping large objects is not possible.

Focus on service motivated the sale

Pär Erik Mossfelt, who has been owner and company manager since 2015, sees great development opportunities for the company and the surface treatment business. But as he wants to focus on servicing heavier machinery and vehicles, he chooses to divest the pickling operation to a new owner with the drive to develop that part of the business.

"It is both a relief and sad to leave, but with FASE as owner the company will continue to operate and the staff who have worked for me will continue to keep their jobs, which was important to me in the sale", says the seller Pär Erik Mossfelt.

Collaboration between companies in east and west

"Demand for pickling to surface treat products in the metal industry is increasing, and development is important for the industry", explains the new owner Linus Håkansson at FASE Holding AB.

FASE Holding AB, based in Stockholm, today owns R-Produktion in Vimmerby, which has the same type of production and orientation as WeBeS. The two companies will be run as two separate companies, but there will be major production synergies as goods flows will be able to be directed between the facilities in eastern and western Sweden respectively. The acquisition included the pickling business and the property in Kil.

"With this acquisition, we get another leg to stand on and become our own small group of companies, which will be fun. I also see that we have the future ahead of us and that in the long term we will contribute to more jobs in Kil", concludes Linus Håkansson at FASE.

A challenge with a niche business

"Since pickling is a narrow segment within surface treatment, it has not been entirely easy to find the right buyer, and the sales process has been relatively long. But it has been a rewarding challenge, and it is fantastic that it has worked out so well for both seller and buyer", says Svensk FöretagsFörmedling's transaction advisor Kent Folkesson.