Takeover marked in visit to Ireland

Representatives of both R. Stahl and Clifford & Snell recently visited their Ireland agents Douglas Controls & Automation in Cork, the capital of Ireland's southern province

Stewart Birell,Stahl's Regional Sales Manager, Declan Lordan Douglas Control & Automation,  Chris Manville   Account Manager UK, Ireland, Scandanavia & Benelux, Clifford & Snell and Eugene Pigott Douglas Control & Automation

R. STAHL and Digital Angel Corp signed a contract earlier this year  on the takeover of British business Clifford & Snell by R. STAHL group. Clifford & Snell is a specialist for signalling devices for explosion-protected and industrial use. Their product program excellently supplements Stahl's product line for signalling devices. Digital Angel, whose core business is RFID technologies, had been looking for a partner for this unit who is able to further expand the sustainable business.

Clifford & Snell develops and produces optical, acoustic and combined signalling devices. In regard to combination of signalling devices (horns and signal lamps) Clifford & Snell has a unique market position. The products in explosion-protected design are used in R. STAHL's traditional markets (oil & gas, chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, etc.). The products in industrial design are required, among others, in industrial buildings, hospitals, airports, schools or on ships.

With the completion of the product portfolio in signalling devices the expert in explosion protection can realize significant increase in sales in this segment. In the medium-term R. STAHL plans to double sales in the segment for signal lamps with the takeover of Clifford & Snell, in the long-term even a triplication of sales is anticipated. Currently Clifford & Snell generates annual sales amounting to about € 4.3 million.

Besides products that have a performance and quality level comparable to R. STAHL products, the new partner makes contributions in regard to development know-how and sales structures. The present Managing Director, Trevor Gage, will in future manage business unit signalling devices in the R. STAHL group; he has extensive professional expertise.

"With Clifford & Snell we move to position 2 in Europe in the field of signalling devices. By combining the excellent competences in development and sales with our value creation and sales structure we will be able to grow disproportionately in the field of signalling devices ", says Martin Schomaker, CEO of R. STAHL.

"This is an excellent opportunity for the business and to be affiliated with the internationally respected R. STAHL group, will enable us to accelerate our product development program and advance Clifford & Snell's worldwide sales and marketing effort", says Trevor Gage, Managing Director of Clifford & Snell.