Eppendorf acquires centrifuge business of Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.

• Eppendorf strengthens one of its core businesses and expands centrifuge business
• Koki Holdings focuses on the power tool business
• Eppendorf becomes a global full‐line provider of high‐performance premium centrifuges and consolidates its leading market position
• Financial terms were not disclosed
  
  

Hamburg/Tokyo, March 19, 2020 – Eppendorf AG and Koki Holdings Co., Ltd., have reached an agreement that Eppendorf will acquire Koki’s centrifuge business, including the premium himac brand. A corresponding agreement was signed by both companies in Tokyo. The acquisition marks a targeted step by Hamburg-based Eppendorf AG to expand its centrifuge business and solidifies its strong market position as one of the world’s leading makers of high-end centrifuges for the pharma and life science industries as well as academic and commercial research.

Koki Holdings will focus on developing its position as a comprehensive provider of power tools aiming to become a leading global company through strategic investment, accelerated technology and product development.

“We are excited to acquire Koki’s centrifuge business and its premium himac brand. These high-performance products are an ideal fit for Eppendorf's centrifuges business and highquality standards,” said Dr. Peter Fruhstorfer, Co-CEO of Eppendorf AG. “With this acquisition, Eppendorf will become a full-line provider of high-performance premium centrifuges on a global level. This gives us access to new customer groups and offers opportunities for further growth.” The centrifuge business is one of Eppendorf's core businesses, Fruhstorfer continued, which will be sustainably strengthened by the
acquisition.

“We are excited to have Eppendorf as a partner in acquiring our Centrifuge & Processing (C&P) business, which has held a first-place business track record in Japan for over 65 years,” said Atsushi Morisawa, CEO of Koki Holdings. “With Eppendorf’s investment through this acquisition, I am sure the Koki-originated C&P business will earn an extraordinary positioning in the global market. With that, Koki Holdings will strategically focus on the power tool industry to become the top brand globally.”

Koki Holdings Co., Ltd., develops and produces ultracentrifuges and floor-standing centrifuges under the brand name himac in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, which is north of Tokyo. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Koki Holdings Co., Ltd. was established in 1948 as manufacturer of power tools, including tools used in coal mining. In 1954, Koki began a centrifuge product business that earned a high reputation in the Japanese and global market. Koki Holdings will continue to focus on the power tools business by developing superior products and services aiming to become a leading global company in the industry.

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