Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Adhesives Giant Acquires Engent

NORCROSS, GA -- H.B. Fuller Co. has acquired EMS firm Engent for an undisclosed sum.

Fuller makes adhesives for circuit boards, but its primary markets are for diapers, magazines, books, paper towels and packaging. It plans to use Engent to attract new customers in the fast-growing electronics market by leveraging its adhesive development capabilities and global reach with the electronics expertise of Engent.

With this acquisition, we add advanced application technology, people and process knowledge that will enhance our growing business in electronics,” said Jim Owens, president and CEO, H.B. Fuller, in a statement. “Within this market, there is a diverse range of technologies being produced today and under development for production tomorrow. We plan to participate fully in these opportunities in this dynamic segment by combining and leveraging the adhesive development capabilities, investment resources and global reach of H.B. Fuller with the electronics expertise of Engent.”

All 40 of Engent's employees will join Fuller, and no layoffs will result from the deal, Fuller said.

Engent was founded in 2003 and develops electronics for military, medical and industrial applications. It had sales of less than $10 million in revenue. Fuller said its results would be included in the company's North America Adhesives business segment going forward. Fuller had sales of $1.6 billion last year.

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