SCHUNK Electronic Solutions is strengthening its footprint in electronics manufacturing with the acquisition of Achat Engineering GmbH.
Through the acquisition, SCHUNK is expanding its portfolio to include board handling and AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) classification systems, broadening its capabilities in automated electronics production.
With this strategic move, SCHUNK’s modular machine platform is evolving into a comprehensive all-in-one solution. The enhanced offering will range from stand-alone systems to fully integrated inline solutions, enabling efficient and fully automated electronics manufacturing processes.
Based in St. Georgen, SCHUNK Electronic Solutions GmbH is opening up additional market opportunities through the acquisition of Achat Engineering GmbH. As a technology leader, the company will henceforth offer its customers an integrated portfolio for implementing scalable, digitally networked production systems in electronics manufacturing.
Complete offering from stand-alone to smart factory
For many years, the two companies have been collaborating in the field of electronics and SMT (Surface Mount Technology) manufacturing. With the acquisition, the complementary technology portfolio will now be more closely integrated: Achat complements SCHUNK Electronic Solutions’ existing depaneling and modular inline solutions with a board-handling module, digital inspection solutions in AOI processes (VinCam), as well as solutions for integrating and controlling automated guided (AGVs) in intralogistics. In this way, an integrated offering emerges – from stand-alone systems to end-to-end inline and smart factory architectures – customer-centric, scalable, and with reduced interface risk. “The merger is the logical next step for us: We are purposefully expanding our portfolio to enable a more modular and flexible offering for electronic assembly manufacturing – delivered as a holistic, one-stop solution,” says Ralf Vetter, Managing Director of SCHUNK Electronic Solutions. To ensure continuity and retain expertise, Achat founder Jürgen Schaffhaussen will continue to support the company in an advisory capacity. In addition, Nick Heronim will assume responsibility for the board-handling and AOI classification systems.
Joint markets – clear customer benefits
Achat Engineering was founded in 2002, is located in Lengede, and currently employs 23 people. Both companies serve common segments of electronics manufacturing, including SMT assembly, and share a commitment to co-innovation, partnership-based collaboration, and consistent process digitalization – up to the vision of the ”dark factory,“ a fully automated production environment. SCHUNK Electronic Solutions is creating clear added value for its customers and partners through this integration: solutions will be planned and implemented from a single source, interfaces will be reduced, and projects can be scaled more quickly. At the same time, integration into the SCHUNK group ensures reliable supply and provides global service expertise for the jointly developed technologies.
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