Henrob — a manufacturer of automotive parts based at Deeside Industrial Estate, Flintshire — has been acquired by Sweden’s Atlas Copco. It will become part of the MVI tools and assembly systems division within Atlas Copco’s industrial technique business. The Henrob brand will be retained.

Employing around 400 people, Henrob makes self-piercing rivets that allow two or more materials to be joined together where welding is difficult. Stockholm-based Atlas Copco said the acquisition will allow it to serve customers in a greater number of markets and to expand in a fast-growing market segment.

Mats Rahmström, president of the Atlas Copco industrial technique business, said: “Henrob is a strategic fit in our portfolio of adjacent fastening technologies for the automotive industry. It is a logical addition to our automotive bodyshop business. We can now serve customers with three assembly technologies: tightening, adhesives and self-pierce riveting.”

Henrob founder Keith Jones said: “Backed by Atlas Copco’s resources and energised by this very exciting development, Henrob will now have every possibility of sustained success. There is considerable synergy both in products and in philosophy, plus a clear commitment from Atlas Copco to fully support the further development of Henrob.

"I am very pleased that we will enter a new phase of our existence in the capable hands of a top global organisation; a great future has been secured.”

Henrob, which was established in 1985, secured a £5.2 million finance package from HSBC earlier this year, which helped it create 100 new jobs.