Svanehoj, an ITT company, has completed the acquisition of Köhler & Hörter GmbH (KOHO Kompressorsysteme), a Germany-based family-owned company specializing in high-quality compressor systems for diverse industries including shipbuilding. The transaction closed on 1 October 2025, marking Svanehoj’s strategic expansion within the gas segment as the global gas tanker market continues to grow.
Strategic Rationale and Market Positioning
In recent years, Svanehoj has strengthened its position as a supplier of marine pumps, tank control systems, and related service solutions. The acquisition of KOHO Kompressorsysteme represents the company’s next strategic initiative in the gas segment, responding to expansion in the global gas tanker market.
KOHO employs approximately 40 personnel at its facility in Hagen, Germany, and specialises in the design and manufacture of customer-specific reciprocating compressor systems for hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and other demanding gas applications. The company’s product range also encompasses gastight bulkhead shaft penetrations for industrial facilities and shipbuilding applications.
Leadership Perspective
Søren Kringelholt Nielsen, CEO of Svanehoj, characterised the acquisition as a logical expansion for the company within the gas tanker segment, where Svanehoj has delivered cargo pump systems and integrated services to LPG and LNG carriers for many years. By acquiring KOHO, Svanehoj can now include high-quality compressors and related spare parts within its customer offerings.
Nielsen emphasised that KOHO adds specialist expertise and an attractive product portfolio to Svanehoj’s capabilities. He expressed confidence that combining KOHO’s technical knowledge with Svanehoj’s and ITT’s strengths in supply chain management and sales will unlock new opportunities to strengthen and expand the business.
Established Project Collaboration
Svanehoj and KOHO Kompressorsysteme have previously collaborated on high-profile shipbuilding projects, establishing a foundation of mutual understanding and complementary capabilities. Notable joint projects include the Northern Lights LCO₂ carriers in Norway and Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora class design, which represents the first Pure Car & Truck Carrier to be classified as “ammonia-ready” with capability to operate on green ammonia in future.
This existing project experience demonstrates the technical compatibility between the companies’ technologies and provides validation of their combined capabilities in advanced maritime applications.
Company Heritage and Technical Evolution
KOHO Kompressorsysteme was founded in 1948 by Alfred Köhler and August Hörter, with the company manufacturing its first reciprocating compressor in 1965. Since that time, the products and projects have grown substantially in both scale and complexity, responding to continuously increasing demand for specialized compressors across diverse applications.
The company is currently managed by the third generation of the Hörter family, with André Hörter and Björn Hörter serving as leaders. Both will continue in management roles within KOHO under the new Svanehoj ownership structure, ensuring continuity of leadership and technical expertise.
Future Vision Under New Ownership
Björn Hörter, managing director of KOHO, characterised the change of ownership as a significant opportunity to advance the company’s development. He noted that KOHO’s specialised compressor solutions will now form part of a broader portfolio supporting the future of gas applications.
Hörter expressed expectations that partnership with Svanehoj will accelerate growth and innovation whilst ensuring that KOHO employees remain integral to the company’s continued journey. This perspective emphasises the transaction’s focus on development rather than mere consolidation.
Expanded Portfolio and Applications
The acquisition enables Svanehoj to offer comprehensive integrated solutions encompassing pumps, compressors, tank control systems, and related services to customers in the maritime and industrial gas sectors. This expanded capability addresses customer demand for single-source supply of complementary equipment systems, potentially simplifying procurement and improving system integration.
KOHO’s expertise in hydrogen and hydrocarbon compression aligns with emerging applications in alternative fuel systems for maritime transport, including LNG, ammonia, and hydrogen propulsion systems. The company’s gastight bulkhead penetration technology provides additional value in applications requiring secure gas containment and transfer between compartments.
Second Acquisition of 2025
The KOHO acquisition represents Svanehoj’s second transaction in 2025. In January, the company completed the acquisition of European Pump Services B.V., now operating as Svanehoj EPS, a Dutch company specialising in integration and service of pump solutions for the Benelux industrial, offshore, and maritime sectors.
This acquisition activity demonstrates Svanehoj’s active strategy of expanding capabilities and geographic presence through targeted additions of complementary businesses with established technical expertise and customer relationships.
Global Operations and Workforce
Following the KOHO acquisition, Svanehoj employs 550 people with operations spanning Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, South Korea, China, Japan, Dubai, and the United States. This international presence positions the company to serve customers across major maritime and industrial markets whilst providing regional service and support capabilities.
The expanded organization combines Svanehoj’s established marine pump and tank control systems expertise with KOHO’s compressor technology and European Pump Services’ integration and service capabilities, creating a comprehensive offering for gas handling applications in maritime and industrial contexts.
For more information visit www.svanehoj.com
