Editor’s Note
This article details Künkel-Wagner Prozesstechnologie GmbH’s strategic acquisition of SM-Stahl GmbH and BES GmbH, effective January 1, 2013. The move marks a significant expansion for the Alfeld-based company into the post-processing sector.
Künkel-Wagner Prozesstechnologie GmbH in Alfeld (Leine) has acquired SM-Stahl GmbH, Dürbheim, and BES GmbH, Dürbheim, effective January 1, 2013.
Künkel-Wagner, the world’s leading company for foundry and molding equipment, expands its product portfolio into the area of post-processing of cast and aluminum parts with these two acquisitions. Cleaning, grinding, and polishing are still mostly done by hand today. Künkel-Wagner now offers its customers automated finishing up to the ready-to-ship product. Furthermore, automating the post-processing process ensures consistent quality.
SM-Stahl GmbH is considered one of the pioneers in the field of deburring, grinding, and polishing technology, both in manual and fully automated areas. By using self-developed robotic systems, SM-Stahl GmbH is able to develop customer-specific solutions. Applications are found not only in the foundry industry but also in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, medical technology, as well as in the jewelry and watch industry. The company in Dürbheim, Baden-Württemberg, was founded over 40 years ago and employs around 70 people.
BES GmbH plans and manufactures control and automation systems for special machines and large-scale plants, such as complete dedusting systems. Furthermore, the company has innovative, customer-specific plant visualizations via process control systems in its program, which are used in all industrial sectors. The company, founded in 1990, employs around 60 people.
Both companies have been merged into Künkel-Wagner Stahl GmbH.
Helmut Specker, former owner of the two companies and new Managing Director of Künkel-Wagner Stahl GmbH.
Georg Blinn, Managing Director of Künkel-Wagner Prozesstechnologie GmbH.