DV Automation, the UK’s renowned automotive hemming technology specialist, has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thompson Friction Welding Ltd.

The company has moved from its base in Chessington, Surrey, to Thompson’s UK headquarters in Halesowen, West Midlands, where it is headed by managing director Alan Shilton.

DVA, established in 1989, produces a range of machines for hemming closures on vehicle bodies together with associated engineering services. A substantial number of key personnel have remained with the business including founder Mike Dorsett and sales manager Colin Green.

Thompson, part of the IWKA Group, a global systems supplier to the engineering and machine construction sectors, is well-known for its friction welding equipment which is used by component makers around the world.

“We’re extremely confident that the Group’s expertise within the international automotive industry will further enhance the extensive capabilities of DVA, creating an unrivalled range of complete hemming systems and solutions,” explained DVA business manager Mark Schlanker.

It is the latest acquisition by Thompson following its recent purchase of Blacks Equipment, a friction welding machine manufacturer and supplier of sub-contract friction welding services.

The deal established Thompson as the UK’s largest provider of sub-contract friction welding services. Now trading in its fifth decade, Thompson employs 90 staff and has a turnover in the region of £16million.