United Grinding Group and GF become United Machining Solutions

The takeover of Georg Fischer's GF Machining Solutions Division by the United Grinding Group has created one of the world's largest machine tool manufacturers - with total sales of over USD 1.5 billion and around 5,000 employees at over 50 global locations. The company now operates under the name United Machining Solutions and will retain its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland.

Stephan Nell, CEO of the new group and the United Grinding Group, reveals: "The desire to merge the two companies has existed for a long time. Thanks to the confidence of our main shareholders Rosmarie and Martin Ebner in this strategically important step in global machine tool manufacturing and the necessary capital increase, this vision has now been realized. It is rare that two companies complement each other as well as United Grinding and GF Machining Solutions. This applies not only to our product portfolios, our international orientation and our understanding of quality, but also to the culture and mindset of our employees. I am convinced that together we can achieve a great deal for the benefit of our customers." The Group's Board of Directors closely monitored and supported the process. Fred Gaegauf, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Grinding Group, says: "The merger of the two companies will create a Swiss powerhouse in machine tool manufacturing."

The optimal supplement

With a presence in more than 50 locations, a comprehensive product portfolio and a total of 15 leading brands in their industries, the foundations for future success are being laid. "It's the best decision we could have made," affirms Ivan Filisetti, President of GF Machining Solutions and member of the Executive Committee of the new Group. "Our products do not overlap, they complement each other. This makes integration much easier. And as a Swiss company, we share the same culture with a strong commitment to innovation and digitalization. We continue to pursue the goal of being the preferred partner for our customers, supporting them with customized solutions and comprehensive expertise - in other words, with much more than just a high-end machine. The Group, with its strong international focus, employees on site at our customers' premises and our broad technological expertise, helps us to achieve this."

In the area of research and development, collaboration is not only profitable for the company and its customers when it comes to developing innovative solutions. Synergies can also be leveraged with regard to new standards and regulations, which are becoming increasingly important and to which machine manufacturers must react in order to keep their machines fit for the future.

The common Swiss roots and the strong international orientation connect the two companies in a special way. "With over 50 locations worldwide, there are only a few machine tool manufacturers that are as internationally positioned as we are and that are so close to their customers," Nell is convinced. "Speaking the language of our customers and being able to offer fast, competent support is an important decision criterion for our customers. The common roots and values connect our globally active employees," adds Filisetti.

Thanks to many similarities and an optimal portfolio complement, the conditions for successful integration as United Machining Solutions could hardly be better.

The Group will primarily operate with its individual brands. "In future, we want to further strengthen the identities of our brands, which have been known and anchored in the market for many years," explains Nell. "The brands have a long tradition, stand for the highest quality and are often pioneers in their field. Our customers trust the brands they have come to know and appreciate."

Two divisions and established management

The two divisions United Grinding and United Machining are organized under the umbrella name of the Group, United Machining Solutions. With their expertise in the technologies of surface and profile grinding, cylindrical grinding, tool machining and additive manufacturing, they continue to offer broad application knowledge, an extensive product portfolio and a distinctive range of services for the production of high-precision components.

GF Machining Solutions is one of the world's leading suppliers of precision engineering and sophisticated manufacturing technologies for high-precision components and the tool industry. These competencies and technologies are combined in the new Group in the UNITED MACHINING Division, whose portfolio includes machines for high-speed milling, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), laser texturing and laser micromachining. The division also offers state-of-the-art spindles and solutions for automation and digitalization, backed by global customer service and application support.

The management of United Machining Solutions is made up of four people with a long history in their respective companies: Stephan Nell, Ivan Filisetti, Michael Horn and Heinz Poklekowski. Stephan Nell, CEO of the United Grinding Group and a 22-year veteran of the Group, will take over as Chairman and will also be responsible for the strategic direction of the Sales and Customer Care divisions. Ivan Filisetti, President of GF Machining Solutions and associated with the company for 23 years, is responsible for the long-term vision of the new Group's Technology Division and remains CEO of United Machining. Michael Horn, who is responsible for Operations and IT, brings his many years of experience in mechanical engineering and most recently as a member of the Executive Board of DMG Mori to the new Group. And Heinz Poklekowski, who has been with the Group for 35 years and was most recently CFO of the United Grinding Group, will take over responsibility for Finance and Group Services.

Premiere at EMO Hannover with eight innovations

The new United Machining Solutions group will present itself for the first time at EMO Hannover, the world's leading trade fair for production technology. Every two years for the past 50 years, the trade fair has provided a unique platform for gaining a comprehensive overview of the industry's global offering. This year, the trade fair will take place from September 22 to 26. United Machining Solutions will be represented with its now 15 brands and will present no less than eight world firsts.