Machinery News

Maag and Automatik merger forms single equipment source
Switzerland-based Maag Pump Systems and Germany-based Automatik Plastics Machinery have merged to form an integrated supplier offering complementary products, which expects to double its turnover by 50% in two years.

Through the merger, Maag and Automatik will reinforce their market position with around 460 employees and a turnover of about EUR100 million.

Maag Pump Systems provides gear pumps, filtration systems and screenchangers for the plastics industry, as well as for chemical and industrial processes. Automatik Plastics Machinery supplies pelletising systems for manufacturing plastic pellets. Both companies will appear on the market under their existing brand names for the time being.

The new group is headed by Ueli Thürig, the CEO of Maag Pump Systems. "With the merger, we can offer customers high-quality components and complete, integrated systems for plastic processing. We are thus becoming the largest provider in this segment worldwide,” he explained.

The new group is planning to increase current turnover by more than 50% by 2012 by applying its customer-oriented business model.

The companies are not strangers and have been working on projects for different customers for many years, said Roger Stehr, CEO of Automatik.

In coming weeks, integration projects will be carried out in both companies but the companies stress that it will not result in employee cutbacks.

Automatik’s production plant in Grossostheim will also serve in the future as a central location for the installation of complete systems, repairs and services. "The location in Germany is ideal, since many of our OEM partners for plastic processing also have their headquarters here. Now we can offer them complete system integration consisting of gear pumps, screenchangers, pelletising systems and automation units from a single source", explained Stehr.   The four other production locations in Switzerland, Italy, the US and China are also remaining in operation. Assembly will also be further expanded in Shanghai due to the great potential of the Chinese market.

The previous investment companies will have equity in the new group, each with a 50% share. Automatik Plastics Machinery has belonged to private equity firm CGS Management in Pfäffikon (Switzerland) since November 2008 while Maag Pump Systems has been a part of Scotland-based Clyde Blowers since the end of 2008.