Power Jacks buys its Scottish rival, PAS

Scottish screwjack specialist Power Jacks has bought its Glasgow-based competitor Precision Actuation Systems (PAS) for an undisclosed sum. Power Jacks plans to merge the businesses at its Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, manufacturing site.

Some of PAS` 40 staff are expected to join Power Jacks` 70 existing personnel, but managing director Bruce Bultitude says there will be "some consolidation". The combined sales of the group are expected to be around £7-8m.

The acquisition will add products including bevel gearboxes and linear slide systems to Power Jacks` own mechanical worm gear screwjacks. In particular, Power Jacks says that PAS` Rolaram range, incorporating high-speed roller screws, has "far-reaching applications" as an alternative to hydraulics in the automotive and steel industries.

About half of Power Jacks` business is outside the UK, mainly in Europe and Africa. The acquisition of PAS - which incorporates Neeter Drive, Fortune Actuators and Fortune Engineering - is expected to help develop new markets in Australia and the Far East.

Power Jacks was formed in 1987 by a management buyout from Atlas Copco. Its site was formerly owned by CP (Consolidated Pneumatic).