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The Semperit Group (Vienna) has acquired the Austrian Rico Group GmbH, a global supplier of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) injection molds and components, with the deal expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.

In a release, Semperit said the long-term potential of the transaction primarily lies Rico’s high-quality toolmaking and automation of production steps. The move also strengthens market access in North America. Rico acquired U.S. based LSR molder SIMTEC (Miramar, Fl.) in 2016. Other companies within the Rico Group include Swiss firm Silcoplast AG and HTR Rosenblattl in Austria.

Semperit said the Rico Group will maintain autonomy in operational areas, with support for corporate functions going forward. Semperit will also maintain Rico’s expansion efforts, continuing construction on the newest facility in Thalheim, with expansion in the U.S. and Switzerland to be fully supported. In June 2022, Rico broke ground on a new plant in upper Austria covering more than 10,000 m² with production, warehouse and office space, which will eventually require 100 addition employees.