KraussMaffei Group consolidates U.S. operations, shifts Netstal to Kentucky site
Effective Oct. 1, KraussMaffei Group is consolidating its U.S. activities into its Florence, KY site, relocating Netstal USA from its current facility in Devens, MA.
October 1, 2012
Effective Oct. 1, KraussMaffei Group is consolidating its U.S. activities into its Florence, KY site, relocating Netstal USA from its current facility in Devens, MA.
The move comes after the purchase of the KraussMaffei Group (Münich) by private equity firm, Onex (Toronto). That deal, which valued the German manufacturer of injection molding, extrusion, and polyurethane processing equipment at Euro 568 million was announced on Sept. 26, with it expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2013.
Paul Caprio, president of the American subsidiary KraussMaffei Corp., based in Florence, KY. |
This move will integrate the sales and service activities of Netstal, a Näfels, Switzerland-based supplier of high-speed precision injection molding machinery. Netstal has been in the same portfolio as Krauss Maffei going back to 1992. At that time, Krauss-Maffei AG, under the ownership of Mannesmann Plastics Machinery, acquired a majority share of Netstal-Maschinen AG.
In recent years, the sister companies have pursued greater collaboration of sales and service. At the last Brasilplast event in São Paulo in May 2011, the two companies announced a combination of their Brazilian operations under a new business entity, KraussMaffei Group do Brasil, effective October 2011 with the start of the company's new fiscal year. In the same month, the company announced similar plans for its operations in China.
Paul Caprio, president of the American subsidiary KraussMaffei Corp., said in a release that the move means that in the future, customers will be able to "select the right product for you from the right brand and the right service from our extensive range of products and services."
KraussMaffei first founded a U.S. subsidiary in 1966. The Florence, KY operation was opened in 1986.
Mike Sansoucy, former president of Netstal USA, will still be responsible for the sales and the aftermarket activities of the Netstal brand as its general manager. Tony Gaudet, head of after sales, will continue to be available to customers as a contact person. The Devens office will be closed, and KraussMaffei reports that its Netstal spare parts warehouse has already been moved to Florence.
Sansoucy was promoted from Netstal's national sales manager to president and general manager of Netstal Machinery Inc. in late 2010 after the then president and general manager, Rick Shaffer, stepped down. Sansoucy has been with Netstal since February 2007.
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