The UNITED GRINDING Group has completed the acquisition of the GF Machining Solutions Division of Georg Fischer AG. The merger has resulted in UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS, a globally active machine tool manufacturer with annual sales exceeding USD 1.5 billion and more than 5,000 employees across over 50 locations worldwide. The new group brings together a total of 15 brands and aims to further expand both traditional and additive manufacturing technologies.
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.”
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.”
The newly formed division UNITED MACHINING brings additional expertise, particularly in the areas of additive manufacturing and micro-machining. The expanded portfolio includes brands like STEP TEC and SYSTEM 3R, whose solutions for high-dynamic spindles and automation in processing complex 3D-printed components are gaining increasing importance. IRPD—the additive manufacturing unit of the UNITED GRINDING Group—is also set to benefit from this expanded technological foundation.
“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.”
“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,” adds Filisetti.
“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.”
For developers of 3D printing applications, the new structure opens up additional possibilities—for instance, by integrating conventional high-precision machining with additive processes. The planned close collaboration in research and development across both divisions is intended to accelerate the market readiness of new manufacturing strategies, especially with regard to regulatory requirements.
At the EMO Hannover trade fair in September, UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS will make its first joint appearance and will present eight new machine concepts, including developments relevant to additive manufacturing.
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