Injection molding machine maker Engel has bulked up its portfolio of process automation systems by taking a majority stake in Poland-based TMA Automation. The companies have partnered in numerous customer projects over the years. This strategic investment “will reinforce its leading position in the field of injection molding process automation” and further growth in Eastern Europe, said Austria-based Engel.

TMA's technologies complement its in-house spectrum of robots and automation components, said Engel, which offers an array of single-source automated production cells for injection molding applications.

A focus at TMA is automated in-mold labelling (IML) in the mid-performance segment. "With TMA, we have gained a know-how provider who knows the specific requirements of this performance segment very well and optimally serves them with solutions tailored to them," said Engel CEO Dr Stefan Engleder. In the high-performance segment, Engel will continue to cooperate with its long-standing IML automation partners.

TMA Automation will remain independent under the Engel Group umbrella, and co-founders Marek Łangowski and Piotr Orlikowski will continue to manage the company. Walter Aumay, Vice President Automation and Peripheral Units at ENGEL, will reinforce the management team as a third managing director.

TMA soon will begin building a new office and production facility in Gdansk on a recently purchased site. The company is currently based in Gdynia. “As a location, Gdansk, with its good infrastructure and large number of technical universities in the surrounding area, is the ideal starting position for excellent access to a qualified expert workforce,” said Aumayr. "We will also be expanding the workforce at the new Gdansk facility.”