Japanese power tool giant Hitachi Koki has announced that it will acquire 100% ownership of German power tool firm Metabo Aktiengesellschaft (Metabo) and its parent company.
Power Tool Invest B.V. (PTI), the holding company of Metabo, owns 80% of the power tool manufacturer, its founding family owns 10%, and Metabo's executives and employees own the final 10%.

Under the deal, Hitachi Koki - backed by French investment company Chequers Capital Partners - will acquire Metabo's parent company, PTI, with its headquarters in Schiphol in the Netherlands, Metabo's headquarters in Nurtingen, Germany and of all minority shareholders' interest owned by the founding family and executives and employees of Metabo.

Whilst Hitachi Koki has a high market share in Japan and strong sales channel through DIY stores in
US, the power tools giant has its sights set on expanding into large markets within Europe. The company explained that it has been considering ways to expand the scale of its businesses foor some time, with mergers and acquisitions an important part of the strategy.

Global power tools manufacturer, Metabo operates sales offices in 25 countries, and has established a firm position in the European market, with particularly strong sales channel in Germany and other countries in Europe. The successful acquisition by Hitachi Koki will provide the Japanese company with a well-established power tool brand and strong sales channel in parts of Europe. It will also enable Hitachi Koki to enhance its procurement ability in the European region, helping to reduce the Euro exchange risk, which has been long-standing issue for Hitachi. It also hopes to share technologies and further enhance both the Hitachi and Metabo product line-up.

Hitachi Koki Group has said that it is aiming to quickly achieve its management target of an operating margin of 10% or higher, by expansion of business scale and an acceleration of strengthening of earning capacity through ensuring those various synergies.