Penn Engineering, which owns the Pittman DC motor business, has bought Maelux SA - whose sole operating company is the Italian motor manufacturer, MAE SpA - for an undisclosed sum. MAE, which makes stepper, brushed and brushless DC motors, employs around 90 people at its 11,000m² plant in Offanengo, Italy. Its sales last year were worth around $10m.

Ken Swanstrom, Penn Engineering`s chairman and chief executive, describes the acquisition as "an excellent strategic fit for our company". He points out that it will add stepper motors to Pittman`s portfolio, "as well as augmenting our existing brush and brushless motor product lines".

In addition, the deal gives Pittman a manufacturing site from which it can serve its European customers better. Pittman will also offer the Italian-made motors to its US customers.

John McKay, who runs Pittman`s European operation, says that the only overlap between the two companies` portfolios is in size 23 brushless motors, where Pittman offers an electronic version and MAE does not. He adds that both companies focus on producing customised motors.

Distribution arrangements for the UK are still being decided. MAE has been using McLennan and Cetronic to sell its products in the British market.