Weidmüller sells its HTE operation to TE Controls

Weidmüller UK has sold its distribution business HTE to TE Controls. The sale follows a strategic review of Weidmüller`s UK operations and completes a restructuring of its supply chain begun almost 18 months ago.

Carsten Rumpf, Weidmüller`s managing director, describes the sale of the £22m business as "a positive move for all concerned". He says the disposal will allow Weidmüller "to focus on our core business of providing electrical and electrical connectivity products and solutions". The company hopes to boost its share of the industrial automation, process automation and transport markets.

HTE will continue to be one of Weidmüller`s main distributors.

TE`s chief executive, Don McAleenan, says the acquisition "makes a lot of sense for us". It will "help to consolidate our position as one of the country`s largest `truly technical` independent distributors of automation components," he adds.