Ringspann takes over StS Coupling and Steigerwald CNC

As part of its long-term, one-stop-shop strategy, Ringspann is working hard to expand key product areas in industrial drive technology. The company is paying particular attention to the area of shaft couplings. Following the acquisition of the US coupling manufacturer AISCO (2023) and the German drive shaft manufacturer Kempf (2024), it has now landed its next coup: Shortly before the turn of the year, the management announced that the coupling manufacturer StS Coupling and its sister company Steigerwald CNC-Technik have also been part of the Ringspann Group since December 1, 2025. As Ernst Fritzemeier, Managing Director of Technology, Production and Procurement, reports, Ringspann is thus realizing three important milestones: "On the one hand, this will enable us to expand our range of shaft couplings to include numerous other series, with backlash-free precision couplings in particular being a great addition to our portfolio. This will enable us to tap into new market segments. On the other hand, we are increasing our expertise and capacities in the field of turning and milling technology. In addition, we see the newly acquired companies as the nucleus for our international competence center for precision couplings, which we will establish at the Niedernberg site."

By integrating the coupling series from StS Coupling into its portfolio, Ringspann has de facto completed its coupling range. This is because the existing selection of shaft couplings - primarily geared towards applications with high torques - is now being joined by a wide range of compact precision couplings for medium and low torque requirements. "These are primarily backlash-free elastomer couplings, metal bellows couplings, intermediate shaft couplings and safety couplings, which perfectly complement our current range. We see excellent opportunities for growth here, both nationally and internationally," says Ernst Fritzemeier.

Million program launched

Once again, this is a friendly takeover. The Ringspann Group has acquired all buildings and machines as well as two plots of land covering a total of 5,000^m2 and will merge the two acquired companies into one company in the short term and change their name to Ringspann StS. All customers of the acquired companies will continue to be served and the current managing directors Uwe-Peter Steigerwald (S-CNC-Technik, StS Coupling) and Frank Sam (StS Coupling) will remain in office until the merger and change of name. They will then accompany the further integration process in an advisory capacity until the end of 2027. Ernst Fritzemeier will initially take over the management of Ringspann StS. Ringspann will initiate a comprehensive modernization project at the Niedernberg site and raise the production structures as well as the design and sales organization there to the level of the Group. "At the same time, we are laying the foundation for the establishment of the competence center for precision couplings. Investments of around 2.5 million euros are planned in this context by 2030," says Ernst Fritzemeier.

Attractive one-stop provider

With the acquisition of the product and expertise portfolio of StS Coupling and Steigerwald CNC-Technik, Ringspann has once again taken a major step towards its goal of establishing itself as a one-stop supplier of industrial drive technology components across all industries. At the same time, with its new range of precision couplings, the company is increasing its appeal as a premium manufacturer of shaft couplings for users in automation technology, packaging technology, medical and measurement technology as well as for customers in the printing technology, semiconductor and aerospace industries. "These are all markets that benefit greatly from the positive characteristics of backlash-free precision couplings - such as their high torsional rigidity, compact design and ability to compensate for axial, radial and angular errors," emphasizes Ernst Fritzemeier.