Kohler's Power Group Acquires Two Companies

Jan. 14, 2022

Kohler's Power Group has acquired Helia Technologies and has signed an agreement to acquire Curtis Instruments.

With Helia, the Group expands its clean energy management offering, and Curtis is an established electrification partner for OEMs across a broad range of markets.

Heila Technologies was founded in 2015 as an MIT-born company in Somerville, Massachusetts, and is dedicated to simplifying the integration and operation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and microgrids. In its short history, Heila has combined theoretical knowledge with practical industry experience to transform the energy industry from the ground up using DERs such as batteries, fuel cells, and solar arrays.

The company’s core offering, the Heila Edge, is a modular energy platform designed to advance a more modern, cleaner energy supply by simplifying the integration, operation, optimization, and scale-up of DERs. Its decentralized system provides automation and modularity, reducing system complexity and cost while increasing resiliency and reliability. As a developer of power source hardware and software, Heila is able to integrate and optimize distributed renewable energy resources and storage solutions to create a modular microgrid, providing power when the grid cannot.

Curtis Instruments, headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York, works with OEMs in markets including material handling, golf, and recreational vehicles, mobile elevated work platforms, construction, agriculture, turfcare, marine, and select on-road segments. Founded in 1960, the company employs approximately 1,100 individuals and operates in 16 countries, including manufacturing locations in Puerto Rico, Bulgaria, China, and India.

Curtis’ product portfolio spans motor speed controllers, HMIs and instrumentation, power conversion, CAN modules, and other accessories. Curtis also develops advanced software solutions for its customers. The acquisition expands and diversifies Kohler’s power portfolio by leveraging Curtis’ electrification expertise with Kohler’s gasoline and diesel engine business to best serve off-highway OEM customers. Curtis Instruments will operate as a standalone entity within the Kohler Power Group with Stuart Marwell, president, reporting to Brian Melka, group president–Power.

Source: Kohler