Brescia-based Emer, a pioneer in alternative fuel
systems, has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a major milestone: the
company’s formal transition to new ownership. The Italian subsidiary, Westport
Fuel Systems Italia (WFSI), has been acquired by Heliaca Investments
Coöperatief U.A., a family-run investment firm headquartered in the
Netherlands.
The announcement, made during an open day event at the
Brescia headquarters with all 120 employees in attendance, marked both a
celebration of Emer’s history and the beginning of a new chapter. Founded in
1975 in Collebeato and relocated to Brescia in 2007, Emer has become a global
reference point for CNG, LNG, LPG, and hydrogen fuel system technologies,
delivering tailor-made solutions for the automotive, transportation, off-road,
motorsport, and energy storage sectors.
The deal, initially announced in March and finalized
last summer, formally separated WFSI and its affiliates – Prins in the
Netherlands, Stako in Poland, TA Technology in Argentina, and the MWTL joint
venture in India – from Westport Fuel Systems Inc., headquartered in Vancouver,
Canada. The group will continue to operate under the Westport Fuel Systems
brand, with its main hub in Cherasco, Cuneo. Today, the organization employs
around 800 people worldwide and generates revenues exceeding €300 million.
For Bart van Aerle, CEO of WFSI, the transaction
represents a strategic turning point:
“The separation from our Canadian parent company
creates two fully independent legal entities, each with its own mandate and
strategic focus. This transition opens new growth opportunities while ensuring
full continuity for our customers and suppliers. We will continue to operate
under the Westport Fuel Systems brand, firmly anchored to our core values:
innovation, safety, quality, performance, and customer support”.
With Heliaca Investments as the new owner, WFSI is
expected to benefit from greater operational independence and investment
flexibility, positioning itself to expand its role in the global clean mobility
market.
As Emer marks half a century of innovation, Bart van
Aerle’s leadership signals a future where alternative fuel solutions will play
an increasingly central role in the transition toward sustainable
transportation.
