Voith acquired a majority share in the Croatian Small Hydro company Sintaksa, specialized in products and services for electromechanical and automation systems.
The agreement took place on July 31, 2020 in Zagreb, Croatia. All court and commercial register entries for the acquisition were completed in August. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
Sintaksa is an innovative technology company with a strong focus on Small Hydro, providing products and services in the field of electromechanical and automation systems for the hydropower industry. The Croatian company, with locations in Zagreb and Split, focuses on control, protection and measurement systems for small hydropower plants. Founded in 2008, Sintaksa today employs more than 50 highly skilled workers. It will continue to offer its portfolio as established, remain entrepreneurial in nature and will operate under the Sintaksa brand also in future.
Complementing product portfolios create value add for operators
Given this track record in electrical balance-of-plant equipment and automation projects, the collaboration creates a perfect fit. Together with the offerings of Voith Hydro’s dedicated Small Hydro locations, for example in Austria and Spain, complete electrical and mechanical packages are now offered by a single source.
“With this acquisition we took the next step on our way to becoming a Small Hydro system integrator,” explains Uwe Wehnhardt, President & CEO of Voith Hydro. “Our customers will benefit from this single source approach.” Sintaksa President Petar Jelinčić agrees: "The special value of our partnership lies in the mutual use of technologies, know-how and experience of both companies. According to the customer's requirements, we can combine them in the best possible way."
First project examples proof trustful partnership
In order to reach this status the initial year of the collaboration was dedicated to set up expert teams, develop processes and also put these into practice at first project sites: like for example in Iceland’s Brúarvirkjun or Norwegian plants Boen Foss and Palmafossen.
The joint market approach also ensures customer proximity worldwide with Voith Hydro’s global operations being complemented by Sintaksa’s especially strong footprint in South Eastern Europe and also the Nordics.
Based on this also Voith Hydro’s advanced scientific network in the area of Small Hydro could be expanded as Sintaksa closely cooperates with leading technical and scientific establishments in Croatia, such as the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Split.
