ABB completes acquisition of K-TEK

Integration of instrumentation maker aims to boost instrumentation portfolio and improve offerings for oil and gas, water markets.

July 9, 2010

ABB, an industrial power and automation technology group, has announced that it has completed its acquisition of K-TEK, the Prairieville, LA manufacturer of level-sensing technologies. K-TEK will become part of the measurement products business unit within ABB’s process automation division.  

Citing more than 350,000 installations since its founding in 1975, K-TEK claims a position as a global leader in level detection technology. The operation employs more than 250 people with facilities in China, Netherlands, India, and South Africa in addition to the U.S.  

Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division, noted K-TEK’s leadership position in the oil and gas industry, where ABB has a large installed base. “This acquisition will provide our mutual customers in oil and gas, water, and other industries with access to an expanded range of leading-edge instrumentation and sensing technologies,” he says. “We see a lot of potential for synergy between ABB’s extensive geographic reach and exposure to other industries, and K-TEK’s depth in level detection technology.”

ABB characterizes the acquisition as part of an effort to pursue growth opportunities that complement its product, technology, and geographical portfolio.

Edited by Peter Welander, Control Engineering