Bern (Switzerland)

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 $ 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, revealed, “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.”

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,” confirmed 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.” 

In R&D, collaboration is not only beneficial for the company and its customers in the development of innovative solutions. Synergies can also be leveraged with regard to new standards and regulations, which are becoming increasingly important and require machine manufacturers to respond in order to keep their machines fit for the future. 

The two companies are particularly connected by their shared Swiss roots and strong international alignment. “With more than 50 locations worldwide, there are few machine tool manufacturers that are as international as we are and as close to their customers,” believes Nell. “Being able to speak the language of our customers and offer fast, competent support is an important decision-making criterion for our customers. Our global employees share the same roots and values,” added Filisetti. 

Thanks to many commonalities and an optimal addition to the portfolio, the prerequisites for successfully merging as UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS could hardly be better. 

The group will primarily present itself to the outside world through its individual brands. “In the future, we want to further strengthen the identities of our brands, which have been known and anchored in the market for many years,” explains Nell. “The brands have a long tradition, stand for the highest quality and are often pioneers in their field. Our customers trust the brands they have learned to know and appreciate.”

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.

The management team at UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS consists of four people with a long history in the respective companies: Stephan Nell, Ivan Filisetti, Michael Horn, and Heinz Poklekowski. Stephan Nell, CEO of the UNITED GRINDING Group, has spent 22 years within the group. He now takes over as chairman of the Management Board and strategic leadership for Sales and Customer Care. Ivan Filisetti, President of GF Machining Solutions and affiliated with the company for 23 years, is responsible for establishing the long-term vision of the new group’s technology area and remains CEO of UNITED MACHINING. Michael Horn, who is responsible for Operations and IT, brings his many years of experience in machine tool engineering and most recently as a member of the Board of DMG MORI AG to the new group. And Heinz Poklekowski, who has been a group member for 35 years, his most recent role being CFO for the UNITED GRINDING Group, will assume responsibility for Finance and Group Services. 

The new group UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS will make its debut at EMO Hannover, the world’s leading trade show for production technology. For 50 years, the trade show has provided a unique platform every two years to gain a comprehensive overview of the industry’s global offering. The trade show will take place from September 22 to 26 this year. UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS will be represented by its 15 brands and showcase no fewer than eight world-first innovations.