Europe: DELTA and FORCE Technology merges – Generational change in Board of Directors and a strengthened Management

DELTA and FORCE Technology merges with FORCE Technology as the continuing entity with effect from 1. January 2016.

“Internationally, a concentration of high-tech knowledge resources is happening these years”, says Erik Søndergaard, Chairman of FORCE Technology. “In our neighboring areas, Sweden, Norway, Germany and Belgium large mergers have been carried through to ensure strong and specialized competences within research and development. In the same period analyses show that, Danish companies increasingly seek new knowledge internationally. Therefore, the merger between DELTA and FORCE Technology is obvious”.

Two institutes on top

“The merger comes at just the right time”, says Jesper Haugaard, Chairman of DELTA. “DELTA stands, after 2015, with the best economic conditions for years – and with a robust, focused and competent organization”. Both FORCE Technology and DELTA came positively out of 2015, whereas both organizations enter into the merger with a robust economy and professionalism.

Juan Farré, CEO, President of DELTA, sees obvious future prospects in the merger, which will benefit the Danish industry. “FORCE Technology and DELTA will develop each other’s full potential. We are very similar to each other – in culture and business model, with high-technological consulting, development and facilities and complementary skills; without overlap. We will therefor together accommodate much more for many more”.

The new organization will not only be able to offer even more unique competences and cover a larger part of the industry’s needs. “Together, we will be able to provide service to the industry throughout the value chain. From the initial idea to the approval of the product and inspection of production. And this in a new and digitalized world”, says Ernst Tiedemann, CEO, President of FORCE Technology. Both CEO’s are unanimous about the vision: “FORCE Technology has a strong position among others in production- Denmark, for example material-, joining-, testing-, sensor-, simulation- and robot technology. DELTA stands strong within sensors and complex electronics and electronic systems. When combining our forces and strengths, we create a unique “house of qualifications” for the benefit of Danish industry, with international potential”.

During these years, the whole world is talking about the fourth industrial revolution, which will create both opportunities and challenges for Danish companies. Billions of people and products will be combined through mobile devices with an unpresented computing power and access to knowledge.

The two CEO’s continue: “Together we can support the practical digitization of the industries and production systems, which DELTA and FORCE Technology already supports respectively in product development and operations. By advanced sensor networks and automated monitoring, we can help a solid implementation of Industry 4.0 in Denmark and Scandinavia. Finally, we can connect the experiences from the operation back to the product development, and there by create fertile sole for digital learning and new business models. Our goal is to develop and offer this infrastructure and here by create growth in the industry”.

The merger opens for leadership change

With the merger, Ernst Tiedemann resigns as President and CEO of FORCE Technology by April 30, 2016. Simultaneously Ernst Tiedemann enters as Chairman of the Board for the new organization. Jesper Haugaard, Chairman of the Board, DELTA, also enters the Board of the new organization.

On 1 May 2016, Ernst Tiedemann passes on the baton to the new President, CEO, Øjvind Andersen Clement, who today operates as CFO in FORCE Technology. He represents the Management of the merged company together with DELTA’s former President, CEO, Juan Farré, who’s new title will be Technical Director. Hereby, the continuity is ensured in both board as well as management.

The Group Management of the FORCE Technology group will by 1 May 2016, besides the executive officers from FORCE Technology Denmark consist of the CEO’s of FORCE Technology Norway AS and FORCE Technology Sweden AB, Henning Arnøy and Hans Ole Olsen.

“Ernst Tiedemann has as President, CEO, had a decisive importance for FORCE Technology. He was the leading force through the 90’ies severe expansion, and since he in 2000 took over as President, CEO, FORCE Technology has increased the turnover fourfold with a constant positive bottom line”, says Chairman Erik Søndergaard, in complimentary terms. “Apart from the post as President, CEO, Ernst has taken a number of key positions in Danish industry, in order to ensure optimal competitiveness for Danish companies through technical solutions”.