ESAB acquired by Colfax Corp.

Effective Friday, January 13, 2012, Charter International plc, owner of ESAB Welding & Cutting Products, has been acquired by Colfax Corporation.

Colfax Corp., based in Fulton Md., is a diversified industrial manufacturing company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Charter International plc resided in Ireland and was the parent of two leading businesses: ESAB, a welding products manufacturer, and Howden, a manufacturer of heavy-duty air and gas handling equipment.

ESAB employs more than 8,500 people worldwide and has sales and support locations in 80 countries, and 26 manufacturing facilities across 4 continents. The company's North American headquarters is located in Florence, S.C.

"This acquisition will not impact our customers or distributors," said Mark Elender, senior vice president of sales and marketing for ESAB North America. "We will continue to provide our customers and distributors with the best products and support services, and we are confident that this transition will be seamless and beneficial to all."

Colfax Corporation owns 10 brands in the pumping and fluid-handling market, and is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "CFX."