Gleason Corporation has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools GmbH of Eisenbach, Germany from IMS Gear GmbH and Koepfer Verzahnungsmaschinen GmbH. IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools is a producer of high-quality gear cutting tools and related products and services. The company which has approximately 70 employees will be renamed Gleason Cutting Tools GmbH and continue to operate at its current location in Eisenbach, Germany, with its existing management team. IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools has a small subsidiary in Taicang, China which is included in the acquisition. The transaction is subject to merger control clearance in Germany. It is expected to be completed by year-end.

Commenting on the acquisition, John J. Perrotti, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gleason Corporation, said, “IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools is recognized as a leader in technology, quality and delivery lead times for gear cutting tools. Their established presence in the European market and strength in the design and manufacture of carbide hobs provides us great opportunities to expand our product reach to both local and global customers in industries including medical, power tools, automotive and gear job shops. We will use our extensive global sales and marketing organisation to further expand sales for their products”.

IMS Gear GmbH, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is a global leader in gear and transmission technology with manufacturing plants in Germany, the United States, Mexico and China.

Koepfer Verzahnungsmaschinen GmbH is a subsidiary of EMAG Holding GmbH, Germany, a global leader in machine tool production and production systems.

Gleason has manufacturing operations in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, India, China and Japan, and has sales and service offices throughout North and South America, Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region.

For further details contact Forest Engineering on TEL: 011 397 4050 or visit www.fandhmachinetools.co.za