The strategic acquisition previously announced has been finalized . With this, the UNITED GRINDING Group has acquired the GF Machining Solutions Division of Georg Fischer AG, expanding its portfolio to 15 brands. The combined entity will operate under the new name UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS. With annual sales exceeding USD 1.5 billion, the group now ranks among the world’s largest machine tool manufacturers.
With the UNITED GRINDING Group taking over the GF Machining Solutions Division of Georg Fischer AG, one of the largest machine tool manufacturers in the world has been formed – with sales of over USD 1.5 billion and about 5,000 employees at more than 50 locations worldwide. The company is now called UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS and will continue to have its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland.
Stephan Nell, CEO of the new group and the UNITED GRINDING Group, reveals: “There has been a long-standing desire to merge the two companies. Lead shareholders Rosmarie and Martin Ebner expressed their full confidence in this strategically important step within the world of global machine tool manufacturing, authorizing the necessary capital increase to make this vision into reality. It is rare for two companies to complement each other as well as UNITED GRINDING and GF Machining Solutions. This applies not only to our product portfolios, our international alignment, and our understanding of quality, but also to the culture and mindset of our employees. I am convinced that we can make a big difference together, for the benefit of our customers.” The group’s board of directors closely monitored and supported the process. Fred Gaegauf, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the UNITED GRINDING Group, noted: “The merger of these two companies has created a Swiss powerhouse in machine tool manufacturing.”
Optimal addition
With a presence in over 50 locations, a wide product range, and 15 leading brands in their fields, a strong base has been created for future growth. . “It is the best decision we could make,” confirms Ivan Filisetti, CEO of GF Machining Solutions and a member of the new group’s Management Board. “Our products do not overlap; they complement each other. This makes integration much easier. And as a Swiss company, we share the same culture with a strong commitment to innovation and digitalization. We will also keep after our goal of being the preferred partner for our customers, always ready with customized solutions and comprehensive expertise – in other words, able to offer much more than just high-end machines. The group helps us with its strong international alignment, employees on site at our customers’ premises, and our breadth of technological expertise.”
In R&D, collaboration helps both the company and its customers develop new and innovative solutions. It also allows them to better handle new standards and regulations, which are becoming more important and require machine makers to adapt to keep their machines ready for the future.
The two companies are closely linked by their shared Swiss roots and strong global focus. “With more than 50 locations worldwide, there are few machine tool manufacturers that are as international as we are and as close to their customers,” believes Nell. “Being able to speak the language of our customers and offer fast, competent support is an important decision-making criterion for our customers. Our global employees share the same roots and values,” adds Filisetti.
Thanks to many commonalities and an optimal addition to the portfolio, the prerequisites for successfully merging as UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS could hardly be better.
The group will primarily present itself to the outside world through its individual brands. “In the future, we want to further strengthen the identities of our brands, which have been known and anchored in the market for many years,” explains Nell. “The brands have a long tradition, stand for the highest quality and are often pioneers in their field. Our customers trust the brands they have learned to know and appreciate.”
UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS: Two Divisions, One Strong Group
The two divisions UNITED GRINDING and UNITED MACHINING fall under the umbrella name of the group, UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS. UNITED GRINDING includes the brands MÄGERLE, BLOHM, JUNG, STUDER, SCHAUDT, MIKROSA, WALTER, EWAG, and IRPD. With their expertise in the technologies of surface and profile grinding, cylindrical grinding, tool machining and additive manufacturing, they continue to offer broad application knowledge, an extensive product portfolio, and a distinct range of services for the manufacture of high-precision components.
GF Machining Solutions is one of the world’s leading providers of precision engineering and advanced manufacturing technologies for high-precision components and tooling industry. These competencies and technologies will be incorporated into the new group in the UNITED MACHINING division. The group’s portfolio will be expanded to include the brands AGIE CHARMILLES, CHARMILLES, MIKRON MILL, LIECHTI, STEP TEC, and SYSTEM 3R. This includes machines for high-speed milling, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), laser texturing, and laser micro-machining. In addition, the division offers state-of-the-art spindles as well as solutions for automation and digitization, backed by global customer and application support.
The management team at UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS includes four people with long experience in their respective companies: Stephan Nell, Ivan Filisetti, Michael Horn, and Heinz Poklekowski. Stephan Nell, CEO of the UNITED GRINDING Group for 22 years, now becomes Chairman of the Management Board and will lead Sales and Customer Care. Ivan Filisetti, President of GF Machining Solutions with 23 years at the company, will shape the long-term technology vision of the new group and continue as CEO of UNITED MACHINING. Michael Horn, in charge of Operations and IT, brings many years of machine tool engineering experience, including his recent role on the Board of DMG MORI AG. Heinz Poklekowski, part of the group for 35 years and most recently CFO of the UNITED GRINDING Group, will now manage Finance and Group Services.
A Grand Launch at EMO Hannover
The new group, UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS, will make its first appearance at EMO Hannover, the world’s leading trade fair for production technology. For 50 years, this event has been a key platform held every two years, offering a global overview of the industry. This year, it will take place from September 22 to 26. UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS will be there with its 15 brands and will present eight world-first innovations.
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