In line with its strategy to digitalize its offering, GF Machining Solutions LLC, Lincolnshire, Ill., agreed to purchase 100 percent of the shares of Symmedia GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany. The privately owned company has specialized in software for machine connectivity solutions for 20 years.
The secure interconnection of machines is the basis of the future development of industrial processes, commonly described as Industry 4.0. Symmedia has developed and offers these interconnections. It was established in 1997 and employs 60 people. More than 15,000 machines in various industries worldwide have been equipped with its software. The company will continue to support and develop connectivity solutions for all types and brands of machines and factory equipment. In addition, GF Machining Solutions will use Symmedia technology to accelerate its digital transformation by offering complete solutions for factory connectivity in industrial environments. Symmedia will continue to operate under its current management from its Bielefeld base. Both parties agreed not to disclose financial details.
"We warmly welcome Symmedia to the Georg Fischer family and look forward to supporting the further development of its connectivity solutions for a whole range of clients," said Yves Serra, CEO of Georg Fischer Ltd., Schaffhausen, Switzerland, the parent company of GF Machining Solutions. "This new partnership will also allow us to speed up and widen the range of the digital solutions we offer to our customers."
"Our customers are machine manufacturers who provide services in textiles, pharmaceuticals, food, electronics, plastics, printing, tooling and other industries," said Peter Barkowsky, co-founder and managing director of Symmedia. "As a member of the GF family, we will be able to deepen the cooperation with our global customers but also to help GF to accelerate its digital transformation."
"Leading shareholders Gundlach Group and Oetker Group are grateful to the management and team of Symmedia for a truly innovative and very successful buildup of a niche market leader," said Dr. Albert Christmann, CEO of Oetker Group, Bielefeld, and chairman of the board at Symmedia. "We also thank our customers for outstanding relations and wish all stakeholders a prosperous next stage for Symmedia."
