By Susan Mardele
Miratech, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based provider of emissions and acoustic control solutions for stationary engines, has acquired Melbourne, Australia-based Exhaust Control Industries (ECI).
“The acquisition is a win-win for both parties,” said Nick Detor, Miratech’s executive vice president and global head of sales. “It enables ECI to expand its portfolio and enables us to expand our footprint and presence, serving our customers better. It was a natural collaboration that became an expansion for both parties.”
Miratech has been in business for over 30 years and has been operating in Asia for about 15 years. However, serving customers so far away from the United States made shipping expensive and communication difficult. Miratech had reached the point where serving the South Asian market entirely from the United States was no longer efficient. Acquiring ECI opens the region for expansion and better service for its customers.
For ECI, the company’s ownership saw significant growth opportunity in South Asia but was resource constrained. Miratech had the resources for growth, and the acquisition timing was right for both.
“Miratech’s business comprises systems for stationary engines in the gas compression space, whether they are diesel, natural gas, or another fuel,” said Detor. “We provide almost everything from the engine exhaust fitting to the exhaust stack. We manufacture piping, silencers, catalytic converters, combination silencer/catalytic converters, and all the accessories that accompany them. We also fabricate expansion joints, bellows to control vibration, platforms for mounting equipment, and exhaust stacks with test ports for regulatory compliance testing.”
Miratech and ECI have similar business lines with a few significant differences. Miratech manufactures its own catalysts and can customize shapes and formulations. It can also adapt to different regulatory environments. In addition, Miratech has observed that the region could benefit from its catalyst silencer designs.
For example, compressor packagers that combine a compressor and an engine need a catalytic converter and a silencer. ECI has silencer and catalytic converters lines. Many packagers would like the catalyst and silencer in one housing. Miratech offers a combined catalyst silencer that makes integration easier for the packager.
Expanding Manufacturing And Service
Miratech has production facilities in the United States, Canada, and Germany, but shipping heavy equipment long distances to Asia and Australia adds to customer costs. From ECI, Miratech gains two manufacturing facilities in Australia and will adapt Miratech’s designs to comply with regional standards.
Prior to this acquisition, Miratech shipped everything to Asia from the United States, partnering with local independent businesses that served as company reps and offered service.
“Every industry needs a good support network to keep everything moving,” said Detor. “We are one of the cogs in the flywheel. Through our branch locations and dealers, we deliver the last mile, providing support to help customers stay in emissions compliance. Among 11 locations around the US and Canada, we have a great footprint in North America. Now we get to expand our footprint in Asia.”
While Miratech’s North American customers will not be significantly affected by the acquisition, it’s a different story for customers in South Asia. Miratech can now build and service its products in Australia, meaning customers in Asia and Australia will see faster product turnaround, reduced shipping costs, and faster service.
“The immediate advantage is that … Click Here to continue reading this article in the March issue.
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