Acquisition of Astro Tecnologia
20th Apr 2023
Acquisition of Astro Tecnologia
Published July, 2017
The Heico Companies announced that it has completed the acquisition of Astro Tecnologia.
Astro Tecnologia is one of Brazil's leading manufacturers of cargo securement systems, webbing, lifting slings and supplemental decking equipment. The company also produces thermal bulkhead structures that enable the contents of refrigerated trailers to be more accurately segregated based on their storage temperature requirements.
"Heico has a long-established leadership position in North America's load securement marketplace and has been making steady inroads into the major South American markets of Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia for years," Steve Frediani, president and CEO of Heico's Ancra platform, explained. "With the acquisition of Astro Tecnologia, we have significantly enhanced our offensive posture in both Brazil and the entire South American continent as a whole."
Since its inception in 1998, Astro Tecnologia has experienced significant growth, most recently spurred by Brazil's adoption and enforcement of strict new load securement regulations. Headquartered in the industrial district of Cachoeirinha, Brazil, the company's manufacturing facility weaves polyester webbing, produces a full complement of standard and custom designed cargo securement applications, web slings and round slings, and has an in-house quality control lab and load capacity testing equipment.
Known in Brazil as an industry innovator, Astro Tecnologia has also developed highly advanced automated manufacturing equipment that Heico will use to bolster efficiencies throughout its global manufacturing operations. The company's proprietary technology also makes short-run custom webbing and hardware configuration more practical and cost-effective.
"Astro Tecnologia has a seasoned management team that have solid relationships with Brazil's largest and most respected trailer manufacturers," Frediani added. "Their mature, nationwide distribution network and sales force enhances Heico's ability to bring its diverse transportation cargo securement product offering to Brazil and to the broader South American marketplace."
Heico's acquisition of Brazil's Astro Tecnologia positions it as a leading supplier in the South American cargo securement marketplace, expanding its product mix, broadening its technical capabilities, and giving it an in-country sales and distribution platform for its diverse transportation cargo securement product offering.
