HEREFORDSHIRE-based company Holden Aluminium Technologies Ltd has taken over the automotive product manufacturer Hydro Aluminum Worcester Ltd HAW, which is based in Shrub Hill, Worcester, makes full body structures and crash management systems for iconic companies such as Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar and Lotus and is Europe's leading independent, bonded automotive structure companies.

HAW will now form part of the Holden Group of companies employing 190 staff across the two sites in Worcester and Bromyard.

Holden Aluminum Technologies Ltd is based in Bromyard and its purchase of HAW extends its portfolio and synergies in the automotive sector, bringing an opportunity for substantial new growth for both sites.

HAT recently won an accelerate manufacturing award and has become a leader in the UK for innovative technological developments in the fabrication and forming of aluminium extrusions.

The company supplies products to the transport, medical and construction industries. Products are in evidence with Aston Martin, Renault, Morgan Cars, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Channel Tunnel Rolling Stock, Escalators, Stair Lifts, GCHQ and many specialist architectural applications globally.

Additionally, HAT was recently awarded a parts supply contract for Coventry-based commercial vehicle manufacturer Modec.

The Modec range, potentially the future for urban delivery with vehicles that are environmentally friendly, was recently launched by David Cameron MP.

Jeremy Holden, executive vice chairman at HAT and son of the company's founder, said: "The combination of Europe's leading bonded automotive structure company, HAW, with the forming expertise of HAT will create a new and dynamic partnership. We see the requirements of the weight-conscious automotive sector are rapidly expanding and while historically the market has been driven by the needs of high performance sports cars, we now have the additional pressures of CO2 emissions reduction.

"Holden companies have been grown from a base of design and development and, with these global challenges increasing, we are accelerating our technical developments, investing in new equipment and, most importantly, enhancing our skilled workforce.

"We are looking forward to building strong working relationships with the staff at Worcester. Together we can deliver leading products and engineering services "