Rubix completes Geartech purchase to strengthen its business in Norway
AnnouncementRubix is pleased to announce the purchase of Geartech in line with the Group’s network development strategy. Geartech is a specialist distributor of gearboxes, transmissions and electrical motors and is rated as a “BEST” distributor by Bonfiglioli in Norway. This transaction strengthens Rubix’s position in the Norwegian power transmission market. Geartech was founded in 1996 …
Rubix donates PPE to frontline healthcare workers
AnnouncementCoronavirus has driven demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) to unprecedented levels. With supply chains under pressure, healthcare services across Europe have not been able to access essential PPE through the usual channels. We recognise and celebrate the exceptional effort and personal sacrifices of healthcare workers across Europe, and we are pleased that we can …
Rubix Germany completes Gondrom acquisition
AnnouncementOn 30 April, Rubix Germany completed the acquisition of Walter Gondrom GmbH & Co. KG, based in Cologne, and the affiliated companies of the Gondrom Group. We announced that we had signed a preliminary agreement to acquire the business on 3 March. The acquisition is in line with the Group’s M&A strategy and develops our …
Rubix UK sources critical grease for NHS ventilator production
AnnouncementRubix is helping the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium to build 15,000 ventilators for the NHS. The consortium was having an issue sourcing a special grease required to assemble the ventilators. Without this particular grease, there was a risk that production of these vital machines would be delayed. Rubix UK was called in to solve the problem. Having …
Rubix UK delivers key consumables for VentilatorChallengeUK consortium
AnnouncementOur customer, part of the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, is producing 5,000 medical ventilators by the end of May, and another 8,000 by the end of June. The first ventilator came off the production line on Monday 27 April. Rubix UK supported the consortium across four production lines and two sites, ensuring the necessary consumables were in …
Managing the risk of coronavirus for European manufacturing
AnnouncementWe have taken steps to ensure that the risk of coronavirus is closely monitored and carefully managed. This includes securing availability with our suppliers and identifying alternative sourcing options, in case they are required. As you would expect, we are working hard to reduce the risk of infection for our colleagues and the people we …
Twenty-four hours to help produce medical ventilators
AnnouncementWithin just 24 hours we designed a solution to produce critical components for ventilators and manufactured the bespoke cutting tool inserts. The UK’s national health service has asked manufacturing businesses to help meet the urgent demand for ventilators. Precision engineering business Nasmyth Group called Matrix (acquired in December 2018) on Monday morning – 30 March …
Making our scale count for European manufacturing
OpinionWhen it comes to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), the needs of European manufacturers are multiple and complex. Many of our largest customers have agreed framework contracts with us because they believe this is best way to fulfil those needs – last year we more than doubled the number of pan-European contract wins compared to …
Rubix Italy expands in food and packaging sectors with Barlotti
AnnouncementRubix Italy has completed the purchase of Barlotti, in line with the Group’s network development strategy. Barlotti is an industrial distribution business specialised in mechanical power transmission and focussed on the food and packaging sectors. Founded in 1981, the business is located in Bologna, at the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region, the most important area …
Pierre Allard-Couluon appointed Group Chief Sales Officer
AnnouncementFollowing a comprehensive search, Pierre Allard-Couluon is appointed Group Chief Sales Officer and will join Rubix on 16 March 2020. Pierre will join the executive board with responsibility for organic sales growth. He will take responsibility for key accounts, sales effectiveness and sales performance across the branch network. Commenting on the appointment, Rubix Group CEO …
Rubix Germany develops flow specialism with Gondrom
AnnouncementRubix Germany has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Walter Gondrom GmbH & Co. KG, based in Cologne, and the affiliated companies of the Gondrom Group. The acquisition is part of Rubix’s M&A strategy. It is subject to the approval of the relevant anti-trust authorities and is expected to complete in April 2020. Gondrom is …
Developing our network to serve our customers
OpinionWhen it comes to industrial distribution, scale matters. Our customers want technical experts who are close to them, able to advise on products and services and ready to apply solutions to their manufacturing and processing problems. With over 800 locations across 22 European countries, we are close to our customers, wherever they need us. In …
Bearings expertise that keeps the wheels turning
OpinionIf you take the most literal interpretation of our purpose – to keep the wheels of industry turning – it’s no surprise that we sell more than 100 million bearings per year. We are the market leader, after all. We hold the largest, most comprehensive bearings stock of any European industrial distributor and our expertise …
Closing the loop on customer satisfaction
OpinionRubix exists to keep the wheels of industry turning, right across Europe. We keep factories and plants up-and-running, and we keep our customers’ businesses moving forward. Without customers, we have no business and we serve no purpose. We try not to miss any opportunity to listen to, and to speak to, our customers. We invite …
Ensuring that employee engagement drives business performance
OpinionIn 2019 Rubix recorded an employee engagement index score of 66. That is six points above Aon’s European benchmark. Employee engagement drives customer satisfaction. When your customers are satisfied, your numbers take care of themselves. Our branches with the highest levels of engagement showed strong sales and margins. It’s no surprise that these branches were …
Rubix Spain acquires Motronic and SMA
AnnouncementWith the addition of two branches, Rubix Spain has enhanced its product and service offering across the country. The transactions are in line with the Group’s network development strategy. Motronic Service Sabadell, S.A specialises in the supply, maintenance and condition monitoring of industrial motors and drives. The business also offers a range of automation solutions, …
Rubix Spain acquires Stop Fluid and Desarrollos Hidráulicos SF
AnnouncementRubix Spain has completed the simultaneous acquisitions of Stop Fluid S.L. and Desarrollos Hidráulicos SF S.L (DHSF), in line with the Group’s network development strategy. Stop Fluid is a specialist distributor of flow equipment (valves, seals, pumps, pipe clamps and thermal utility products) serving water and industrial customers. Stop Fluid also provides a wide range …
Rubix Ireland acquires RGR Ltd
AnnouncementRubix Ireland has acquired RGR Ltd – a specialist supplier of industrial adhesives and abrasives – as part of the Group’s network development strategy. RGR has over 30 years’ experience and reported sales of €4.5m in 2018. RGR’s location and expertise make it an excellent fit with the current operations of Rubix Ireland and will …
Reducing the total cost of ownership for European manufacturing
OpinionRubix exists to keep the wheels of industry turning — right across Europe. The technical expertise and specialist knowledge that we provide across products and services means we can support our customers whether they are growing fast or navigating headwinds. Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) reduces the risk of unplanned downtime. It serves many other …
Rubix UK acquires Hydra Engineering Services
AnnouncementRubix UK has completed the acquisition of specialist hydraulics services supplier, Hydra Engineering Services (Hydraflow Hydraulics), in line with the Group’s network development strategy. Hydraflow Hydraulics specialises in the repair and reconditioning of large cylinders and offers considerable expertise in MRO services. These services include on-site fault-finding and testing of hydraulic pumps, power pack refurbishment, …
Reducing the environmental impact of European manufacturing
OpinionWe exist to keep the wheels of industry turning, right across Europe. Through the services we provide, we reduce cost, unplanned downtime and environmental impact for our customers, helping to improve productivity, efficiency and the green credentials of their supply chain. We take our responsibility to the environment seriously. We are members of the UN …
Why services are essential to delivering on promise and purpose
OpinionWe take our purpose seriously. Rubix exists to keep the wheels of industry turning, right across Europe. For European manufacturers, this means that demand is met, and promises are kept whether we are helping to keep the bread baking, put planes in the sky or make people feel better. Customer needs have always driven changes …
What it takes to lead the consolidation of European industrial distribution
OpinionRubix is the leading European distributor of industrial products and services, but only has a small share of the overall market. I can’t think of another industry that is fragmented to the same extent. Since the industrial revolution, production has been concentrated in certain regions of European countries. Strong, local distribution businesses have served these …
Rubix Germany completes Lerbs acqusition
AnnouncementRubix Germany completed the acquisition of the Lerbs Group on 30 October 2019, extending its industry-leading product and service offering. The acquisition includes Lerbs GmbH and all associated companies. Headquartered in Bremen, the Lerbs Group is a full-service supplier of tools, personal & protective equipment, fastening and welding technology products, factory equipment and technical machine …
Rubix France acquires J. Le Corvaisier and HPE to extend services offer
AnnouncementFounded in 1970, J. Le Corvaisier provides technical services in the areas of mechanical and fluid power transmission and mechatronics. The company also engineers, supplies and maintains related systems for its customers. It operates from three locations in Nancy, Metz and Strasbourg, and in 2003 strengthened its position in east France by acquiring HPE, which …
Rubix UK acquires Peter Campbell Sales Ltd.
AnnouncementRubix UK has completed the acquisition of Peter Campbell Sales Ltd. (PCS). PCS is a leading specialist supplier of metal cutting tools and offers bespoke manufactured solutions across Oil & Gas, Aerospace & Defence, Automotive and Precision Machining industries. Operating from two sites between Airdrie, Scotland, and North East England, PCS also manages around 70 …
Start with your customers when defining what digital transformation means for your business
OpinionWhen you Google the term ‘What is digital transformation’ you get around 465,000,000 results in less than half a second. Incredible, right? The space above the fold is dominated by paid advertisements competing for your attention. The Wikipedia definition of the terms is the use of new and frequently changing digital technology to “solve problems …
Acquisitions of DCF and EGA Tecnic expand presence in north-east Italy
AnnouncementRubix Italy has completed the acquisitions of distribution business, DCF and EGA Tecnic, expanding its presence in north-east Italy. Both businesses specialise in distributing mechanical power transmission products and together they generate sales of €10m per year. Founded in 1970, DCF is a well-established distributor in the province of Verona. EGA Technic is a leading …
Rubix Spain acquires Cañellas Protecció
AnnouncementThe acquisition builds on our existing regional presence and specialism in personal & protective equipment. Cañellas Protecció specialises in occupational risk prevention and has extensive experience of distributing into sectors including food and drink, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Founded by current owner Albert Cañellas in 2012, it has a workforce of 15 people and an annual …
Why Rubix had to disrupt European industrial distribution
OpinionCustomer needs have always driven changes in manufacturing and industrial production. Over two centuries ago, the first industrial revolution was a response to the rise of business, and growing trade. Back then, producers of goods had to devise systems and processes to meet rising demand. Machines, operated by people, were the answer. Over time those …
Rubix Germany to acquire Lerbs AG
AnnouncementThe acquisition, which is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities, will enable Rubix Germany to expand its product range across tools, factory equipment and personal & protective equipment (PPE) while increasing its regional expansion in Germany. The transaction is expected to complete in 2019 and includes all associated companies within the Lerbs …
Rubix Italy acquires Fluidmec
AnnouncementRubix Italy has completed the acquisition of Fluidmec SpA, a specialist distributor of industrial products covering pneumatics, hydraulics, automation, gaskets and lubrication. The business, based in Brescia, also offers consultancy in industrial plant engineering. Fluidmec’s 100 employees work across six branches in Lombardy. The business delivered over €34m in sales in 2018. Marco Minetti, CEO …
