Atlas Copco expands range

161 Atlas Copco plans to acquire the underground equipment business of GIA Industri, which will widen its array of machines for the tunneling market. Swedish firm GIA Industri makes an array of specialist machines for underground use including electric haulage trucks, utility vehicles and ventilation systems. The firm is located in Grängesberg and is being sold to Atlas Copco by Vätterledens Verkstad, which will retain GIA Industri’s other products that are not related to the underground equipment market. GIA’s products include locomotives and shuttle car systems for underground transportation, charging and service trucks, scaling and cable bolting equipment, digging arm loaders (Häggloader) and ventilation technology. The electric trucks can be run off an overhead rail and are said to offer performance advantages in terms of reducing emissions. GIA Industri will be part of the Underground Rock Excavation division. The acquisition is expected to be closed during the first quarter of 2012, however the parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.