Latest from Molds/Cores

Laempe Buys Hottinger Sales/Service Business

Sept. 18, 2009
Also, invests in Rperwerk, forms strategic alliance

Coremaking machine builder Laempe & Mssner GmbH has acquired the global after-sales service and spare parts business of its rival Hottinger Maschinenbau GmbH, a company Laempe described as “insolvent.” The purchase became effective September 1, and Laempe will carry on service to existing Hottinger customers worldwide

Laempe & Mssner offers planning, construction, assembly, and manufacturing of metalcasting technology, including core shooters, gassing systems, and sand preparation equipment.

“Core shooters” are specialized machines that produce the sand cores used by foundries to form the internal contours of complex sand castings. Laempe & Mssner’s range of products includes the necessary peripherals, including robotic handling and core-setting systems. It has two manufacturing plants in Germany, and a global sales and distribution network.

The group’s North American equipment sales, parts, and service support are coordinated by Laempe Reich, Trussville, AL.

“With these steps, we will charge existing capacity more efficiently and achieve advantages in Research & Development and Purchasing, as well as in Production,” explained Werner Mssner, the group’s principal shareholder. “Furthermore, we will optimize our worldwide distribution network to boost our position as global market leader.”

Laempe & Mssner also acquired Hottinger’s patents and engineering data, a valuable asset in view of the latter company’s decades of machine design.

At the same time, Laempe & Mssner has formed a strategic alliance with Rperwerk RW - Giessereimaschinen GmbH, to develop, manufacture, and distribute of core-related equipment. Located in Viersen, Germany, Rperwerk supplies casting machinery as well as core shooters.

In August, Mssner Vermgens und Beteiligungsgesellschaft GmbH, the principle shareholder of Laempe Mssner, purchased Rperwerk. The cooperation between Laempe & Mssner and Rperwerk is expected to provide synergy in several areas.

“Above all, Laempe & Mssner and Rperwerk will collaborate in developing new machines and systems, but also in purchasing and sales. Furthermore, Laempe & Mssner gets access to valuable knowhow in the field of low-pressure gravity diecasting,” according to Mssner.