Sick and Endress+Hauser launch strategic partnership

Customers will now benefit from a broader product portfolio distributed from a single source via the global Endress+Hauser Sales Centers. The joint venture "Endress+Hauser Sick GmbH+Co. KG" strengthens the development and production of analytical measurement technology and gas flow measurement and further expands the range of solutions. Sick is consistently focusing on its core business of factory and logistics automation, enabling it to better serve global customer demand for automation and digitalization.

Launch of partnership for process customers worldwide

Following the signing of the contract in summer 2024 and a subsequent phase of preparation and antitrust review, the strategic partnership will now come into effect. Around 800 Sick employees in 42 countries in sales and service of the global Sick Sales and Service Units with a focus on "Cleaner Industries" will move to Endress+Hauser. In the Endress+Hauser Sales Centers, they will sell product solutions in the field of analytical measurement technology and gas flow measurement to additional process customers worldwide, enabling them to reach additional markets and open up new fields of application. For customers, this means that they have access to their trusted Sick contacts at Endress+Hauser for advice, sales and service of process automation solutions. The product portfolio for process automation is available on the website. Both partners place the highest priority on a smooth transition, continuous delivery capability and customer support with unchanged quality.

The strategic partnership also includes the operation of a joint venture, which will strengthen and further expand the range of process solutions for decarbonization. "Endress+Hauser Sick GmbH+Co KG" develops and produces product solutions for analytical measurement technology and gas flow measurement with around 730 employees from the former Sick "Cleaner Industries" business unit. The company's gas flow meters, for example, make it possible to switch to low-emission and non-fossil energy sources, while the process analyzers can be used to reliably monitor emissions. As part of the partnership, the product solutions manufactured there will be distributed by Endress+Hauser with immediate effect. Sick and Endress+Hauser will each hold a 50% stake in the joint venture from March 1, 2025.

"We are delighted that the strategic partnership for process automation is now starting. Together, we can support customers worldwide even better and lead them into a sustainable future with leading technology solutions. We are convinced that the transformation of the process industry offers enormous opportunities for growth and development, which we will make the most of as strong partners," says Dr. Mats Gökstorp, CEO of Sick AG.

"This partnership makes a lot of sense. It opens up opportunities for growth and development - especially with regard to the sustainable transformation of the process industry. We can create added value for our customers by pooling our strengths and our offerings. As a company, we will be faster and more successful together than alone. That's why one and one makes more than two in this case," says Dr. Peter Selders, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group.

Thanks to employees

Both CEOs would like to thank the employees on both sides who have made this partnership possible. "Above all, we would like to thank all employees who have made the Process Automation division strong with their expertise and commitment and who will continue this success story with the strategic partnership," says Dr. Mats Gökstorp. "We look forward to building something new together with the people who join us and the joint venture and to making this partnership a success," adds Dr. Peter Selders.

Since the company was founded in 1946, Sick's core business has been in factory and logistics automation, where over 80 percent of sales are generated. This area remains unaffected by the strategic partnership in process automation and customers can be better supported thanks to the focus. Automation is important for industrial companies to ensure their productivity despite scarce resources. Industrial automation, which increases productivity through artificial intelligence and the digital networking of production and its supply chains, requires sensor solutions.

Sick focuses on its core competencies in factory and logistics automation, such as protecting people with intelligent safety sensors, relieving them of repetitive tasks, making the production of goods more resource-efficient and making logistics processes fast and transparent. The leading Sick solution portfolio promotes higher productivity and better quality in industrial tasks. With customer requirements in mind, Sick combines sensor and AI technology and offers innovative solutions, e.g. AI-based camera sensors.

The existing product and solution portfolios of Sick and Endress+Hauser are complementary and significant in their respective applications. Endress+Hauser is a leading global provider of measurement and automation technology for processes and laboratories. Based in Reinach/Switzerland, the family-owned company generated sales of 3.7 billion euros in 2023 with almost 17,000 employees. Own sales companies in more than 50 countries and representatives in a further 70 countries ensure competent support.