World News STM reinforces Balluff group Balluff group is reinforced by STM Sensor Technologie München GmbH (STM). As a development and technology partner in the area of visual special sensors, the companies are connected by many years of cooperation. Integration as Balluff STM will particularly develop the area of miniaturisation. “Thanks to bundling of our competences in this area, we are able to offer expanded and holistic solutions to our customers,” says Florian Hermle (figure), Balluff’s managing director. Edgar Melzner, founder and previous owner, continues to be responsible for development and customer-specific adjustments of the STM product range at the site of Neubiberg, Germany. www.balluff.com Mitsubishi designates Sakuyama new president and CEO Japanese electronic manufacturer Mitsubishi has a new president and CEO. On 1 April Masaki Sakuyama succeeded Kenichiro Yamanishi, who takes over the position of chairman. Masaki Sakuyama entered the company as an engineer in Kobe in 1977. In 2008, he became Executive Officer and area manager of the business group of energy & industrial systems. In 2010, he became Senior Vice President and General Manager of strategic corporate planning. Since 2012, Sakuyama has been responsible for the business area of Semiconductor & Devices as Executive Vice President and Group President. His predecessor Kenichiro Yamanishi started his career with Mitsubishi in 1975 as a research engineer. He became Executive Officer and Vice President of the entire business area of productivity management & environment in 2006. Before he was made president and CEO of Mitsubishi in 2010, he was responsible for the business area of Semiconductor & Devices as Senior Executive Officer and area director. Mitsubishi has about 121,000 employees in the world, achieving a turnover of 29.5 Bn. Euro in the past business year. www.mitsubishielectric.com ContiTech expands production capacity in Slovaki ContiTech Vibration Control is expanding its commitment in Slovakia. In the past few months, the company has invested around €7.5 million in the Dolné Vestenice site. Currently ContiTech is commissioning a new production hall which will increase the existing production area by another 4,000 m 2 . The site now has a total area of some 20,000 m 2 . “This new facility will strengthen our site in Slovakia, taking us one step closer toward our Eastern European customers,” says Kai Uwe Frühauf, head of the ContiTech Vibration Control business unit. “We want to tap into additional business with automotive manufacturers in the Eastern European market.” The company is aiming to increase sales by about 30 percent between now and 2016. ContiTech Vibration Control has had a presence in Slovakia since 1996 with the Dolné Vestenice site. www.contitech.de Heidrive sold to Palero Invest Heidolph group has sold all shares in Heidrive GmbH & Co KG, Kelheim, Germany, to the private equity company Palero Invest, which in turn has Palero Capital GmbH from Munich as its consultant. The parties have maintained silence about their purchasing price. For the sellers, the process focused on finding a new owner to continue the story of success of Heidrive and develop it further with the local management. Palero has focused on the purchase and development of medium-sized businesses. Heidrive will continue to drive the development and marketing of different motors, gears and controls, as well as system technology, under the direction of Palero as before. www.heidrive-motion.net 6 MDATechnologies 2/2014
Bosch Rexroth: Stagnation in Europe cause for turnover reduction Bosch Rexroth was unable to continue its record turnover from 2012 last year. In the business year of 2013, the drive and control specialist acquired a turnover of 5.7 Bn. € according to preliminary figures — after 6.5 Bn. € in the previous year. The company had the biggest turnover reduction across the triad in Europe. “Due to the long lead times in engineering, this development had already become evident in the order receipt at the end of 2012,” emphasizes Dr. Karl Tragl, chairman of the board of Bosch Rexroth AG. “For a few months, however, we have been experiencing a more stable inflow of orders. We assume that we will experience growth again in the current year,” says Tragl. www.boschrexroth.com SMC Pneumatik expanded by German main seat Japanese manufacturer SMC Pneumatik expands its German main seat in Egelsbach near Frankfurt after employing in excess of 70 new employees last year. The company also has purchased a total of 12,500 m 2 of property in the direct proximity since it expects to continue to grow. A building with 800 m² office area and 3000 m² storage area is already present on the 7 500 m 2 property. The site holds one of five technology centres of the company. SMC Pneumatik had 571 employees in Germany, the company’s most important European market, at the last count. www.smc.de
