Sauer-Danfoss Inc, a hydraulics, components and electronics company, has bought the electric motor business of Thrige Electric, Europe's largest low-voltage forklift motor supplier. The price was not released.

Thrige's low-voltage motor business includes Thrige in Odense, Denmark, and Schabmuller GmbH in Berching, Germany. Thrige produces motors, pumps, and steering and drive units for materials handling equipment. The business has about 450 employees and USD50 million in annual sales.

Sauer-Danfoss electro-hydraulics vice president Albert Zahalka said fuel cell technology would gain momentum. "We want to establish electric power technology ... to be competitive with the potential future technology shift in the materials handling market," he said.

Sauer-Danfoss, with 7000 employees worldwide and annual sales of USD950 million, has manufacturing and engineering plants in Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.