The new group operates under the name UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS and, with total sales of over USD 1.5 billion, has become one of the largest machine tool manufacturers in the world.
With the takeover of the GF Machining Solutions Division of George Fischer AG by the UNITED GRINDING Group, one of the largest machine tool manufacturers in the world has emerged – with total sales of over USD 1.5 billion and around 5,000 employees at over 50 global locations. The company was renamed UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS and retains 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 more than 50 locations, a comprehensive product portfolio, and a total of 15 leading brands in their industries, the foundation is laid for future success. “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.”
UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS with two divisions and established management team
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.
