Buoyancy and subsea marine specialists Ovun acquired by AIS
AIS has acquired Ovun, a Norwegian buoyancy and subsea marine specialist, enhancing AIS’ ability to offer integrated solutions to the Nordic region and beyond while expanding manufacturing capacity and capabilities.
Ovun manufactures polymer-based products for various industries, including plastics engineering and embedded electronics for subsea and marine applications. It supplies products to the renewable energy, navigation, maritime safety and advanced industrial sectors, as well as the oil and gas industry, from its production facilities in Åndalsnes, Innlandet, Molde and Lysaker.
The business has key capabilities in rotational moulding, PU moulding, patterns and moulds, electronics development, engineering and design and plastic recycling. Products include a selection of floating aids to navigation, which can be equipped with electronic devices like lights, automatic identification systems (AIS), and geo-positioning systems. It also provides the marine navigation and security sector with floating and fixed channel markers and floating barriers for safety and environmental purposes.
Jan Møllerhaug, Ovun’s CEO, said:
“With AIS as our new owner, we gain both the strength and capacity to take the company further. We can scale faster, reach new markets and at the same time continue our commitment to sustainable and circular production in Norway. Our new factory at Rudshøgda opened as planned in September, marking a new chapter for us.
“I am proud of what we as an organisation have achieved, and greatly appreciate both the strategic guidance and financial support our current owners and board have given us over time. With AIS’ long-term vision and resources behind us, we are very well positioned for the next growth phase.”
AIS, incorporating Covertherm, Manuplas, Bardot, CRP Subsea, and now Ovun, is a global supplier of insulation, passive fire protection, buoyancy, and cable protection systems. From design and build to installation and maintenance, it supplies off-the-shelf and bespoke products for the energy, industrial, automotive, chemical and marine sectors. Products for the marine industry include acoustic and fire protection, flotation and ballast, and impact protection.
With its HQ in Gloucester, UK, it operates in 16 locations globally with over 800 employees.
Andrew Bennion, CEO of AIS, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Ovun into the AIS family. Their deep technical knowledge and specialised manufacturing processes are a perfect complement to our own.
“As we continue to grow, particularly in the renewables sector, Ovun’s rotational and PU moulding capability, along with their innovative engineering and electronics development, will be instrumental in delivering added value to both our customers, and to Ovun’s long-standing customer base, who will now benefit from the broader capabilities of the combined group.”
Ovun’s location in Norway enhances AIS’ position in one of the world’s most advanced and demanding offshore markets, placing it at the heart of key subsea and energy developments in the North Sea and beyond, providing strategic access to customers and partners across Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Ovun’s extensive experience in plastic recycling and sustainable manufacturing also supports AIS’ ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible solutions in offshore energy and marine sectors.