On January 1, 2008, Danfoss entered into an agreement to take over Proenergie Wärmetechnik, a Swiss-based company which designs and markets district heating substations for the domestic market.

Proenergie Wärmetechnik is Danfoss’ 10th acquisition within district heating in only five years. The underlying strategy has successfully changed Danfoss district heating’s position from that of component supplier for industrial customers to that of the world’s leading supplier of total heat transfer solutions. Customers now include all main segments, such as district heating installers, contractors and utility plants. “The Swiss market is strongly driven by local standards and requirements, and, with this agreement, we are acquiring the crucial local competencies that will allow us to enter into this particular district heating market. At the same time, we will be able to benefit from the experience and competencies that we have already built up in the region in order to develop the market further,” says Senior Vice President of Danfoss District Heating, Troels H. Petersen.

Proenergie currently employs 23 people and has an annual turnover of around 20 million DKK. Danfoss will take over the sales, design and service only, while the present owner will establish a new company, in which Proenergie’s current manufacturing activities will remain, reveals the company’s press release. The previous owner of Proenergie, Paul Schmid, will continue to manage the company, reporting to Danfoss District Heating’s regional Vice President, Anton Koller. “I am extremely pleased that the company which I personally set up has a new owner who is 100 per cent committed to developing the business further. There are still plenty of uncovered potential in our market, and we could wish for no better partner than Danfoss to explore them,” says Paul Schmid.