FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS

Schuler Acquires Leading Die Manufacturer AWEBA

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, FIXTURE REACKING SYSTEMS NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS

Schuler AG, the market leader in forming equipment, is to take over the die construction specialist AWEBA and thus greatly expand its activities in this business field. Based in Aue, Germany, the AWEBA Group is one of the world’s leading full-service providers of dies and fixtures. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Schuler will acquire a 100 percent stake in AWEBA Werkzeugbau GmbH Aue.

The transaction is still subject to the approval of the relevant anti-trust authorities. AWEBA Werkzeugbau GmbH was previously held by private and institutional investors. The parties have agreed not to disclose any details about the purchase agreement.

AWEBA was founded in 1882 as “Bernhard Hiltmann Spezialfabrik für Schnitt und Stanzwerkzeug”. The company today supplies international customers in the automotive and electrical industries, as well as machine and plant manufacturers. The product portfolio includes forming, cutting, hydroforming, and die-casting dies, as well as fixtures and a comprehensive range of services.
In fiscal year 2015, the AWEBA Group generated sales revenue of around € 60 million.

Schuler CEO Stefan Klebert commented: “We are delighted to add a successfully managed company like AWEBA to our Group. With its high level of expertise in research and development and excellent engineering know-how, the company is a perfect fit for Schuler. The acquisition is part of our growth strategy. AWEBA complements our product portfolio in forming technology in line with market requirements and will expand and strengthen our existing activities in die construction.”

The AWEBA Group employs around 600 people, including almost 200 highly skilled engineers and toolmakers. The company owns 40 valuable patents in the field of die manufacturing.

AWEBA CEO Udo Binder stated: “Becoming a member of the Schuler Group opens up tremendous opportunities for the further expansion of AWEBA. Schuler’s global market standing will enable us to quickly grow our international presence and enhance our profile as a global system supplier. This gives AWEBA growth opportunities which would not have been achievable without Schuler.”

The AWEBA takeover is Schuler’s second major acquisition in the last twelve months. Last year, the company acquired a majority stake in the Chinese press manufacturer Yadon with annual sales of around € 110 million.

Schuler Acquires Leading Die Manufacturer AWEBA Read More »

Hitachi Metals Automotive Components to Be Division of Waupaca Foundry

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS

Waupaca Foundry Inc., Waupaca, Wisconsin, announced it will merge with Hitachi Metals Automotive Components USA LLC (HMAC). The merger is part of a larger reorganization within Hitachi Metals Foundry America designed to position the integrated organization for growth and meet customer demand.

According to a news release, Waupaca Foundry will assume the assets and liabilities of HMAC. Both companies are currently subsidiaries of Hitachi Metals Foundry America (HMFA). After the merger, HMAC will become a division of Waupaca Foundry, but will continue to operate under the HMAC name.

Subject to customary conditions, the merger is expected to be complete on April 1.

Daily operations at Waupaca will not be impacted, and the merger is part of the firms’ strategic alignment.

“The merger with HMAC allows us to further integrate castings and value added services for our customers in diverse markets,” said Gary Gigante, CEO, Waupaca Foundry. “We are committed to being the world’s leading casting solutions provider, and this is a critical step in achieving that goal.”

In 2014, Hitachi Metals Ltd. purchased Waupaca Foundry from KPS Capital Partners LP, a New York-based private equity firm.

Waupaca Foundry produces gray iron, ductile iron and austempered ductile iron castings and employs more than 3,900 people at six manufacturing facilities, including three in Waupaca and others in Marinette, Wisconsin; Tell City, Indiana; and Etowah, Tennessee.

HMAC produces cast, machined and assembled ductile iron suspension and exhaust components for global automotive OEMs. It currently operates a machine and assembly plant in Effingham, Illinois, as well as a ductile iron casting facility in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.

The company employs 485 people across all locations.

“This reorganization further unites Hitachi Metals’ product design engineering expertise and materials development with Waupaca Foundry’s manufacturing excellence,” said Eddie Nakano, president and CEO, HMFA. “The merger will unite an experienced leadership team that is focused on delivering the most innovative products and technology to a growing base of global customers.”

HMAC CEO Mike Nikolai said the merger is a response to increased customer demand.

“Centralizing machine and assembly operations allows us to be more flexible in meeting the evolving demands of our customers,” Nikolai said. “We’ve already increased overall operational capacity and are positioning our organizations for long-term, sustainable growth.”

Hitachi Metals Automotive Components to Be Division of Waupaca Foundry Read More »