GEA Refrigeration Technologies has acquired the assets, operations, production facilities, and patents of the companies QPM LLC and QPM Manufacturing LLC, provider of specialist conveyor-belt solutions from Bellevue in Washington, USA.
QPM is a prominent supplier of special steel conveyor belts that assure reliable transport of food products in ovens and freezers.

The acquisition also includes the take-over of QPM staff, with production remaining in Bellevue. Company operations will be integrated into the legal structure of GEA Refrigeration Technologies North America, and the management of operations will be under the direction of freezing specialists based at GEA Aerofreeze in Vancouver, Canada.

'The acquisition of QPM means that GEA Refrigeration Technologies now has proprietary access to technology that allows expansion of our freezer portfolio,' said Dr. Hugo Blaum, President of GEA Refrigeration Technologies and member of the executive board of GEA Group.

Jim Heber, the majority owner of QPM, will stay on contract with GEA to allow for a smooth transition and integration into GEA Refrigeration Technologies. Michael Wierman, a minority owner, will join GEA as the operations manager located in Bellevue. Steven Loitz, also a minority owner, will continue to operate his private law practice and will not join GEA. Mr Heber and Mr Wierman will now contribute their expertise to the GEA development team for freezers.

Guido Beyss, Vice President Technologies, added: 'These specialist conveyor belts are an important ancillary supplement to our freezers and chillers. We will now be able to develop and manufacture the core components of our next generation of freezers and chillers on a one-stop basis. Furthermore, we will enjoy our share of the lucrative market of preventive and restorative maintenance of such conveyor belts.'