Austria’s Aichelin Group acquired U.S.-based Atmosphere Group, the holding company of AFC-Holcroft. Aichelin Group – with its manufacturing companies Aichelin, EMA Indutec, SAFED, BOSIO and Noxmat – is a leading provider of high-quality plants and systems. AFC-Holcroft, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, is a U.S. market leader in the production of industrial furnace equipment for ferrous and nonferrous metals. The other main companies of Atmosphere Group are Atmosphere Heat Treating and Austemper Inc. Until now, Atmosphere Group was privately held.

The acquisition complements the geographic presence of Aichelin Group and strengthens its overall market position. A process will begin to integrate AFC-Holcroft and its sister companies into Aichelin Group’s network in the coming months. AFC-Holcroft’s headquarters will remain in Wixom, Mich., and current management will stay in place.