Riekes Equipment and Bublitz Material Handling officially merged, combining operations under the Riekes Equipment name headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Riekes originally purchased Bublitz in 2010, but the dealerships operated independently until now.

Emerson completed the purchase of General Electric's Intelligent Platforms business, adding PLC technologies to expand its automation capabilities in machine control and discrete applications. The acquired business is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with approximately 650 employees and 2017 sales of $210 million.

CPM Holdings Inc. acquired D&G Electrical Engineering Ltd., a supplier of controls and commissioning services for metal packaging, food and nuclear industries. D&G will be part of CPM's Beta Raven control and automation group and relocate to CPM's Greenbank Technology campus in Blackburn.

JMP Solutions acquired the assets of Alfacon Solutions, a custom material handling solution provider based in Milton, Ontario. The employees now form JMP's Material Handling Division.

Conagra Brands entered into a definitive agreement with Richardson International to divest the Wesson oil brand. The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of Q1 2019.

Aureus Energy Services Inc. acquired all outstanding shares of Amperage Energy Inc., extending its fluid management services to include produced water treatment. Amperage has mobile water treatment equipment bases in Alberta and British Columbia.

Claren Tools Srl acquired SFA Eurostampi, a mold supplier for the automotive sector, forming the Claren Tools Group.

Ingevity Corp. completed its purchase of the Capa caprolactone division of Perstorp Holding AB for $652.5 million, adding a plant in Warrington, England, and a new polymers line.

Genuine Parts Company's Motion Industries has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Axis New England and Axis New York, automation and robotics companies, for an undisclosed amount. The deal is expected to close on March 1, 2019.

Anomatic Corporation acquired CP Technologies Company, an injection molding firm in Columbus, Ohio. The deal expands Anomatic's capabilities in packaging for beauty, personal care, and spirits markets.

Brazil-based WEG SA acquired the energy storage system business of US-based Northern Power Systems, which designs and manufactures energy storage systems in Barre, Vermont.

Johnson & Johnson announced that its subsidiary Ethicon has agreed to acquire Auris Health for approximately $3.4 billion in cash, with additional contingent payments up to $2.35 billion. Auris Health develops robotic technologies for bronchoscopic procedures.

Laterlite announced the acquisition of 100% of Ruregold, a company specialized in reinforcing concrete and masonry structures. The deal aims to expand Laterlite's product range and distribution network in the building materials sector.

Food Process Solutions (FPS) acquired a majority share of Charlottetown Metal Products (CMP), a food processing equipment maker. The deal includes plans to expand CMP's plant in Milton, P.E.I.

R.S. Andrews, a full-service plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company, acquired Covert Aire, a family-run HVAC business in Bluffton, South Carolina. Covert Aire will continue to operate under its own name.

Rico Auto Industries Ltd. and its subsidiary Rasa Autocom Ltd. will acquire the equity shares in the 50:50 joint venture Magna Powertrain GMBH, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Indian manufacturing conglomerate Lohia Group announced the acquisition of Israeli aerospace parts manufacturer L&S Light & Strong Ltd. The financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition marks Lohia's entry into the aerospace and defense sector.

Chroma Color Corporation has acquired Polymer Concentrates Inc., a developer and manufacturer of color concentrates for the plastics industry based in Clinton, Massachusetts. Terms were not disclosed.

Kinshofer has acquired Hammer SRL, an Italian manufacturer of hydraulic breakers and attachments for excavators and other equipment. Hammer generates about EUR 20 million in annual revenue and employs over 100 people.

Novares has acquired Miniature Precision Components (MPC), an injection molding, extrusion and blow molding company focusing on technical parts for the auto industry. The acquisition expands Novares' reach in North America.

Edwards Lifesciences has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire CAS Medical Systems (CASMED) for $2.45 per share, or an equity value of approximately $100 million. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.

Haizea Wind Group has reached an agreement to acquire 80% of Grupo WEC, a Basque company specializing in large cast and boiler components for wind turbines. The acquisition expands Haizea's product portfolio to include shafts, rotors, and frames for wind towers.

Spanish search fund Ariol Capital acquired 100% of Italian plastic and metal packaging distributor Pentapackaging in summer 2018, a deal now disclosed. It is financed with own resources and bank debt, and is part of its portfolio company Repli's growth plan.

Ardian signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% of Celli S.p.A., an Italian beverage solutions company based in Rimini with 2018 turnover of €110 million, from Consilium and the Celli family. Senior management will reinvest.

Sumida, a global manufacturer of coil-related components, acquired Detroit-based Pontiac Coil for approximately $55 million to expand in North American automotive markets and advance automated manufacturing capabilities.

WiTricity acquired Qualcomm Inc.'s electric vehicle charging unit, Qualcomm Halo, including over 1,500 patents and patent applications for wireless charging. Terms were not disclosed.

FPS Food Process Solutions is in the process of acquiring majority control of Charlottetown Metal Products (CMP), a custom food processing equipment manufacturer, and plans to double CMP's facility, staff and revenues in three years.

Smart Care Equipment Solutions has acquired Mid-South Maintenance, a provider of commercial kitchen equipment repair and maintenance services in the greater Nashville area, expanding its national footprint.

CONMED Corporation has completed its acquisition of privately-held Buffalo Filter LLC, a market leader in surgical smoke evacuation technologies, from Filtration Group.

The Lohia Group has acquired Israeli composite manufacturer Light & Strong Limited and plans to set up a new composite facility in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor to produce aero structures for UAVs, fighter jets, and commercial aircraft.

AL-KO Vehicle Technology, part of DexKo Global, has signed an agreement to acquire Bankside Patterson, a UK-based mobile home chassis manufacturer, to expand into the mobile home chassis market.

ARM Group Inc. has acquired the assets of Complete Advanced Maintenance Co. (CAMCO) and Affordable Equipment Co. (AEC), both based in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, to expand its electrical testing and equipment services.

FLSmidth is acquiring IMP Automation, a provider of automated laboratory solutions for mining. The acquisition includes IMP's 50% share in a joint venture. IMP generated revenues of over DK250 million ($37.9 million) in 2018. The deal is expected to close in Q2 2019.

Chroma Ate Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire a 20.5% stake in Camtek for $74 million in cash. The transaction includes shares from Priortech and new shares issued by Camtek, and is expected to close by end of Q2 2019.

PT Semen Indonesia Industri Bangunan (SIIB), a subsidiary of PT Semen Indonesia, acquired 80.64% of Holcim Indonesia from Holderfin BV for Rp 12.96 trillion ($922.42 million). Holcim Indonesia was renamed PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia.

PROK Conveyor Components, a Nepean company, has finalized the acquisition of Tefco Engineering's assets, including a 3,500 m² manufacturing facility in Gosford, NSW, to extend its conveyor pulley OEM and overhaul capability.

Infant formula company Wattle Health will pay $46 million to increase its ownership of dairy processing and packaging facility Blend and Pack from 5% to 51%. The facility is located in Hallam, Melbourne, Australia, and is owned by Hong Kong-listed Mason Group.

Packaging Partners has purchased the assets and design IP of Adaptapack, the robotic case packing technology business developed by Walls Machinery, which went into administration.

Safran has agreed to buy ElectroMechanical Systems (EMS) from Collins Aerospace. EMS generated US$159 million in 2018 and employs 547 staff across four facilities in the USA and Mexico.

Chroma Ate Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire approximately 20.5% of Camtek's shares for $74.3 million, and the parties will enter into a technological licensing and cooperation agreement.

FLSmidth is acquiring IMP Automation Group, a provider of automated laboratory solutions for mining, including IMP's 50% stake in a joint venture. Closing is expected in Q2 2019 and terms were not disclosed.

Greif has completed its all-cash acquisition of Caraustar Industries for $1.8 billion, expecting at least $45 million in cost synergies within 36 months.

Sealed Air has acquired the flexible packaging business of privately held MGM, based in Manila, to expand its printing and lamination capabilities in Asia Pacific. The deal is expected to close in April 2019, and terms were not disclosed.

Revima acquired Chromalloy's facility in Saint-Ouen l'Aumône, France, specializing in engine parts repairs and special coatings. The facility employs about 80 people with annual sales of approximately USD 15 million.

Aurangabad-based Dhoot Transmission has acquired Bengaluru-based San Electromec, a wire harness and control panel player specializing in railways, defence, construction and specialty vehicles, for an undisclosed sum.

The Competition Authority of Kenya approved the acquisition of Desbro (Kenya) Limited by Brenntag (Holding) B.V., a unit of Germany's Brenntag Group. Brenntag will acquire 100% of Desbro's business and assets, including intellectual property, equipment, and employees.

Toyota Industries North America acquired the assets of Hoist Liftruck Mfg., effective February 8, 2019. The new company will be Hoist Material Handling, Inc.

ENGIE North America Inc. acquired Systecon LLC, a modular solution provider for data center, commercial, industrial, and other projects. Systecon is headquartered in West Chester, Ohio, and has more than 85 employees.

Hilton Food Group is to acquire UK sous vide manufacturer HFR Food Solutions Limited. The transaction is scheduled to complete on 28 February 2019, with an estimated total payable of approximately £3.3 million.

Eddyfi Technologies, a world leader in advanced non-destructive testing technologies, has acquired Inuktun Services Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of remotely operated crawlers and camera systems. The transaction also includes the merger of sister company Crystal Cam Imaging with Inuktun.