OREANDA-NEWS.   Plans are in place for the Bosch Group to acquire Astrim Energia S.r.l., an Italian-based energy service provider offering combined heat and power generation technology. A contract to this effect has already been signed with the parent company Astrim S.p.A. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The acquisition remains subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities.

 Astrim Energia S.r.l., which employs around 130 associates, generated sales of some 31 million euros in 2011. “After Germany, Italy is one of the most important and highly developed markets for energy-efficiency services in Europe. We are very excited to be acquiring a company that is established and well recognized within this market,” says Michael Blichmann, the general manager of Bosch Energy and Building Solutions GmbH. Astrim Energia S.r.l. is one of the ten largest energy service providers in Italy. The company's operations are primarily based in northern and central Italy.

Public procurement certification
The core competencies of Astrim Energia S.r.l. include the planning, implementation and operation of energy technology systems within the context of long-term customer projects. Combined heat and power generation technology is predominantly used in these projects. Astrim Energia S.r.l. is one of the few companies in Italy to have public procurement certification. At present, the company has long-term energy efficiency contracts in place with around 75 customers, including public-sector clients and manufacturing companies as well as hotels, hospitals, and shopping malls.

 Giorgio Bergamini, the general manager of Astrim Energia S.r.l, sees the planned acquisition by Bosch as an important milestone in the development of the company: “We are looking forward to working with Bosch in unlocking further market potential and in successfully moving our company forward.”

Saving energy costs over the long term
Astrim Energia S.r.l. will form part of the Energy and Building Solutions business area, which offers owners of large building complexes comprehensive services relating to the efficient management and supply of energy, with the aim of ensuring long-term energy cost savings. The range of services available in this business area includes everything from advice and the optimization of existing systems to constructing and operating entire systems and local heat networks.

 “In addition to the expertise our experienced engineers have to offer, one of the strengths of Bosch Energy and Building Solutions GmbH is our ability to draw on the knowledge and experience of other Bosch Group divisions,” Blichmann says. These areas include HVAC, photovoltaic, and security technology, as well as software and systems technology. “This wealth of expertise enables our company to offer customers a range of services that goes far beyond the portfolio of providers that focus solely on energy services,” Blichmann adds. The acquisition of Astrim Energia S.r.l. also marks the Bosch subsidiary's entry into the international market for energy-efficiency services.