S-5! has acquired ESS Group Engineering Technical Center, a Spanish engineering firm, opening a new manufacturing facility in northern Spain. This expansion strengthens the company’s ability to supply solar and snow retention solutions across Europe with greater efficiency and regional alignment, supporting increasing demand and the company’s growing European distributor network.

Founded in 2011, ESS Group Engineering Technical Center brings specialized expertise in stamped metal fabrication and progressive die stamping, particularly in the automotive and aeronautical sectors. The acquisition adds significant engineering capability to S-5!’s European operations and reinforces the company’s long-standing leadership in metal roof attachment design and manufacturing. The Spanish operation will now do business as ES5.

“This acquisition enhances our ability to support customers throughout the European Union,” said Rob Haddock, CEO and Founder of S-5! “ES5 brings a depth of engineering skill that aligns well with our product requirements and company ethos. By combining their capabilities with S-5!’s proven manufacturing model, we can produce closer to end users, improve lead times, and provide stronger regional support without compromising the standards our customers rely on.”

The former ESS principals will maintain an equity stake and continue leading day-to-day operations at the Bilbao facility, providing continuity of expertise and supporting a smooth integration. S-5! is deploying technical and manufacturing teams from the Texas plant to Spain to provide hands-on training and transition support. 

“Metal roof attachment solutions are needed for a wide range of applications in Europe—from solar to snow retention to various utility mounting needs,” Haddock added. “This new facility allows us to support these applications across the continent by producing components regionally while maintaining the engineering discipline, rigorous testing practices, quality and certification standards that underpin every product we make.”

European Manufacturing, Global Standards

The ES5 satellite entity has been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment aligned with S-5!’s established U.S. production processes. Products manufactured in Spain will support customers across Europe and neighboring regions, aligning with the region’s common metal roof profiles, while products produced in the U.S. will continue to serve other markets.

S-5!’s Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Harry Carner, oversees the development of the ES5 facility to mirror the quality systems and process controls used in S-5!’s Texas operation. Every stage of production—from material certification to machining and final inspection—follows the same defined procedures that ensure precision and consistency, providing verifiable results regardless of where products are manufactured.

Automation remains central to ensuring cost-effective production and consistent quality. With Carner’s leadership in process improvement and manufacturing innovation, the new facility is positioned to be one of the most efficient manufacturing operations in Europe.