GRAZ, Austria -- International technology Group Andritz has signed a contract for acquisition of Paperchine, Inc., owned by AstenJohnson Holdings Ltd., headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. The purchase is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities and is expected to be closed by the end of June 2017.

For Andritz, the acquisition of Paperchine strengthens its presence in North America and adds new products, such as the horizontal GapFormer, SigmaPro headbox, dewatering elements (former Johnson Foils), moisturizer (former VIB), and related service to its offerings for international clients.

Paperchine is a global supplier of highly engineered equipment and services to the paper industry's leading manufacturers.

Paperchine and its subsidiaries have approximately 180 employees in total and manufacturing facilities in the USA (Rockton, IL, Springfield, MA, and Tucker, GA), Canada (Vancouver), Thailand (Bangkok), and Germany (Maintal).