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Birmingham 05 May 2008 Autoadapt already occupies a leading position in the rapidly growing market for adaptation of automobiles for the elderly and people with physical disabilities from their head office in West Sweden. Now, Autoadapt is reinforcing its product base, its distribution network and technical knowledge base through the acquisition of operations in Finish Turvax Oy.

In so doing, Autoadapt will strengthen its position as Europe’s largest producer for “adaptation of vehicles for the needs of the elderly and people with physical disabilities”.

The auto adaptation branch has undergone some drastic changes during the past few years. Peter Wahlsten, Managing Director of Autoadapts U.K., explains : “Technological advances have occurred very quickly and, during that process, the market has expanded. Autoadapt has grown to Europe’s largest company in the industry during the past 10 years. About 90% of our production goes to export today.

“Turvax’ culture and history are very compatible with our own. Their market position and size harmonize well with our strategy. We are now expanding our geographical area of operations as planned through the acquisition of Turvax’ operations, including their established retail network in large portions of the world,” says Peter Wahlsten.

This acquisition creates a strong platform from which to face increasing competition in an expanding global market which is dominated today by large American producers.

The acquisition of operations at Turvax Oy marks growth ambitions and development for Autoadapt as a group and provides the basis for further expansion in the future. Production will continue to take place in Stenkullen, where it is concentrated at this time; this can generate more job opportunities in the future.

”We work persistently to strengthen our market position,” says Peter Wahlsten vice President at Autoadapt. “This acquisition is in line with our growth strategy; it further expands our technology base and product program.”

Founded in 1996, Turvax Oy is known for producing Menox accelerator and brake hand controls. Years of product development and customer collaboration have placed Menox in a confident, pace-setting position on the market for hand controlled accelerator and brake regulators as well as their other adaptation products.

”Turvax’ other driver adaptations, such as Menox Steering Knobs, left-foot accelerator and Pedal Extension will be an interesting compliment to Autoadapt’s product assortment,” according to Peter Wahlsten.

Turvax Oy took the initiative for this agreement after a number of years’ collaboration with Autoadapt. In the words of Juha Paananen, Managing Director of Turvax Oy: “This deal validates some of the value that has been created in Turvax during the years and I believe that Autoadapt is an excellent partner to manage that in the future. This opens up new business opportunities and reinforces Europe’s position in the increasingly competitive international market.

Turvax Oy, with Juha Paananen continuing in ownership, will emerge strengthened from this deal with Autoadapt and will concentrate on development of technologically advanced driver adaptation products.

”Autoadapt and Turvax will collaborate on several development projects. This is a very exciting time, and both companies are looking forward to creating new solutions that can help people with physical disabilities to drive cars,” concludes Peter Wahlsten, Managing Director of Autoadapts U.K.

During the past decade, Autoadapt has grown to be Europe's largest supplier for "Adaptation of vehicles to the needs of the elderly and disabled". Today, approximately 90% of production is exported to more than a hundred dealers in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the South Pacific.

To learn more visit www.autoadapt.co.uk