Trislot Systems NV

Bekaert, a steel wire drawing company, acquires the manufacturing technology for crimped wire screens. These heavy screens for coal mines are sold through local agents. Sales decline due to mine closures. Manufacturing technologies for welded screens and strainers are developed. Sales are integrated into Bekaert's global organization. The Trislot brand is introduced. Very fine welded and crimped wire products are sold to the food industry and filter manufacturers in general. The Trislot plant in Brussels is closed and production is moved to a modern building in Waregem. The manufacture of heavy crimped wire screens is discontinued. Bekaert decides to change its diversification strategy. The Trislot business is no longer seen as a growth platform. As part of a management buyout, Trislot Systems NV acquires the Trislot production line from Bekaert. Trislot Systems invests in new manufacturing equipment for welded products. The manufacturing plant is expanded and reorganized. A new quality assurance system is implemented based on the ISO 9000 standard. Trislot has become a major player in the reactor internals market (Shell, UOP, IFP). The company is acquired by CAE, Inc., a Canadian group with complementary product lines (hole screens). The company changes ownership. Due to a restructuring and focus on the core activities of the Canadian group CAE (flight simulators), the company is sold to a Belgian private investor. The market for architectural grilles for decorative applications, which was reserved for a few large customers, is now becoming a target market with growth potential. Local manufacturing in China starts in cooperation with Packo. The operating unit is autonomous in the Shanghai region. Our Trislot sales office opens in Ramsey, NJ and local manufacturing starts in the United States with support from Leem. The American sales office is relocated with an independent production unit in the Houston area, and production capacity is increased.