Continental (Hanover / Germany; www.continental.com) is planning to expand its hose business with the takeover of flexible hose manufacturer Merlett (Daverio / Italy; www.merlett.com). The German group said the buy expands its material expertise beyond rubber, with high-performance thermoplastics solutions, and widens its regional presence in Europe. The purchase includes three manufacturing plants – in Daverio, Varano Borghi / Italy and Rancate / Switzerland – and sales offices in 12 European countries with nearly 500 employees. Complete of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Continental intends to integrate Merlett into its Industrial Fluid Solutions business unit, which in turn belongs to the ContiTech division. ContiTech operates 25 production facilities worldwide and produces industrial hoses for liquids used in mining, oil and gas production and the food industry, among others.

Merlett manufactures hoses made of PVC, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) or polyurethane, some of which are combined with other plastics such as polyester. The hoses are used in applications such as household appliances or for liquids and gases. The Italian hose maker was founded in 1952 and employs around 510 people, of whom about 400 work in Italy. With 200 extruders and 20 presses in 130 production lines, the company produces about 450,000 m of hose per day, around 30% of which is sold within Italy.