Surface technology for automotive production
Oerlikon Balzers expands portfolio through acquisition
Oerlikon, supplier of surface solutions, has successfully completed a targeted acquisition in Germany.
The aim is to expand the product range for customers in the field of plasma nitriding and to strengthen the company's position in the automotive industry. The company Härterei Dipl.- Ing. Peter Eicker KG (Eicker), which specializes in the heat treatment of components for the automotive industry, will now operate under the Oerlikon Balzers brand.
Eicker is well established in the German automotive market and applies modern heat treatment technologies to components such as dual clutch systems and synchronizer rings for customers in the automotive sector. The acquisition will enable Oerlikon Balzers to strengthen its presence, particularly in western Germany, and improve its geographical proximity to its customers. The company also offers Oerlikon Balzers the potential to expand its capacity to meet the growing demand for surface treatment services in this region. In addition, the acquisition deepens Oerlikon Balzers' expertise in plasma nitriding to provide customers with a high level of competence in both technology and process engineering.
"The plasma nitriding technologies from Eicker complement our current portfolio. With them, we can offer our customers in the automotive industry a comprehensive service for plasma nitriding and heat treatment," says Jochen Weyandt, Head of Oerlikon Business Unit Automotive Solutions. This acquisition helps us to further strengthen our relationships with key customers."
Plasma nitriding is a thermochemical heat treatment process used to improve the reliability and wear resistance of metal parts that are exposed to mechanical stress. The process improves the fatigue strength and corrosion resistance of materials by increasing the surface hardness.











