The Munich-based investor SFO acquires the remaining shares in the Wasseralfingen-based machine tool manufacturer, SHW Werkzeugmaschinen, from Berlin-based Zeitfracht and continues to invest in the site and in new employees.
Ten months after its acquisition out of insolvency, SHW Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SHW WM) has created a new, stable shareholder structure. The specialist for traveling column and portal machines as well as machining centers is now wholly owned by the SFO Group, after the latter took over the shares of Berlin-based Zeitfracht GmbH & Co. KG in the Wasseralfingen-based company and is now the 100 percent owner of the company. The sister company SHW Bearbeitungstechnik GmbH (SHW BT), a specialist in the machining of large components, is also wholly owned by the SFO Group headed by Wolfgang Schepp.
As part of this reorganization of the shareholder structure, Anton Müller, who had led SHW WM as Managing Director together with Martin Greis since October 2018, left the company by mutual agreement. Martin Greis has been the sole Managing Director of both SHW WM and SHW BT since August 2019. “The SFO Group will further strengthen the SHW WM site in Wasseralfingen. The vertical range of manufacture within the two SHW companies is to be increased,” says Martin Greis.
SHW BT has already invested over €2 million in four new universal machining centers this year. Another machine is to follow in the first quarter of 2020. “SHW BT is recording a high level of incoming orders. I am confident that this positive development, which has been evident since SFO joined the company in September 2018, will continue,” explains Greis.
Greis has not noticed the kind of economic downturn currently being experienced in many places in the automotive sector at SHW WM and SHW BT. This is because the machines of the Wasseralfingen-based specialist are often used to machine large components for mechanical and plant engineering, large diesel and gas engines, turbines or environmental technology. The automotive-dependent business is limited. Greis: “We are still looking for new employees.”
The machine tool manufacturer is expecting further positive impetus from its appearance at the EMO trade fair in Hanover from September 16 to 21. A number of know-how-rich products will be presented to a large audience there. “Our UniSpeed 2000 machine with pallet changing system, which will be on display there, should help us to find more new customers,” explains the Managing Director. There have already been many inquiries in advance from existing customers who want to get in touch with the 15 SHW WM employees at the 300 m² stand in Hanover.
Info: New product range
SHW Werkzeugmaschinen (SHW WM) has reorganized its product range. The UniSpeed model range of machining centers is complemented by various pallet changing systems. The traveling column machines are divided into the PowerSpeed and UniForce model series. The portal machines are combined in the PowerBridge series. SHW WM sees its core competence in milling heads. A wide range of milling heads can be supplied to suit every customer application. Technology features such as diagnostic and workpiece measuring tools or modern control station technology round off the scope of delivery.
Information about SHW Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH
SHW Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SHW WM) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of travelling column machines, portal machines and machining centers and is one of the internationally recognized specialists for machining. The machines from Wasseralfingen manufacture large parts for mechanical and plant engineering, large diesel engines, turbines and environmental technology. The company is relatively independent of the automotive industry. SHW WM currently employs around 210 people, plus just under 60 employees at its sister company SHW Bearbeitungstechnik. Both companies are based in Aalen-Wasseralfingen.
