Major extrusion merger between Maag Pump Systems and Automatik Plastics Machinery

Maag is based in Obrglatt, Switzerland, while Automatik calls Grossostheim, Germany its home. With their merger, the two join to create a force especially in the plastics extrusion market, with about 460 employees and a turnover of about €100 million. According to the companies, one major immediate benefit will be that the two, combined, nearly double their international presence to more than 100 countries. 

The new group is headed by Ueli Thürig, CEO of Maag Pump Systems AG. "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," said Thürig. He has big goals for the merged company with plans to increase current turnover by more than 50% by 2012, with this increase supported by a new, customer-oriented business model.

"We've been working together on projects for different customers for many years. The merger is a logical consequence of the complementary product ranges of the two companies," explained Roger Stehr, CEO of Automatik Holding. The companies say they expect the merger to lead to an increase in staff in some regions, with no or few cutbacks anywhere.

Automatik's large facility in Grossostheim will serve in the future as a central location for the installation of complete systems, repairs and services. Many of the firms' OEM customers—for instance, leading extruder manufacturers—are based in Germany. "Now we can offer them complete system integration consisting of gear pumps, screen changers, pelletizing systems, and automation units from a single source," noted Stehr. The four other production locations in Switzerland, Italy, the USA, and China will remain open.

Owners of both companies, two private equity investment companies, are keeping their money in the two manufacturers and each hold a 50% share in the merged organization. Automatik Plastics Machinery has belonged to CGS Management in Pfäffikon, Switzerland since November 2008. Maag Pump Systems has been a part of Scotland-based Clyde Blowers since the end of 2008.