STANS, Switzerland, Feb. 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Komax is to acquire Sigma, a Stans-based firm, from Bossard AG. Sigma is active mainly in small-scale systems, manufacturing transfer systems and mechanized assembly work-stations. The acquisition marks a strategic move by Komax to continue growing its system business and to fill gaps in the market.Komax Holding AG, Dierikon, is to acquire Sigma from Bossard AG, Zug. Sigma operates in the market for small and medium-sized systems. The main thrust of its business is "manumation" ( a combination of manual assembly and automation); it manufactures semi-automated workstations and produces modular and flexible transfer systems. Komax Holding AG is financing the acquisition completely from its own funds.
Sigma, founded in 1962, will generate sales of CHF 11 million in 2004 with very satisfactory profits. The company, with its 40 employees, has been part of the Bossard Group for the past ten years. Sigma will continue to operate under the current management. Its main market is Germany. The worldwide presence of Komax will enable Sigma to expand its customer base. In particular, the manumation market is set to grow in the foreseeable future, since Asia and eastern Europe are seeing very robust demand for semi-automated equipment with manual workstations in addition to fully automated systems.
Following the takeover of a Swiss firm in 1998 and two US firms in 2000 and 2001, the acquisition of Sigma marks a further step in the expansion of the Komax Group's system business (assembly automation and fully automated manufacture of entire wire harnesses). These businesses are expected to witness above-average growth owing to a number of trends: the spread of miniaturization, ever more stringent quality specifications and rising wage costs, the outsourcing of in-house systems business to specialized firms, and the integration of the manufacturing and testing steps in the assembly process.
For Information, please contact: Komax Holding AG Direct dial +41 41 455 0 616 Dominik Slappnig, Head of Investor & Fax +41 41 450 1 024 Public Relations www.komax.ch dominik.slappnig@komax.ch
The press release can be downloaded from the following link: http://hugin.info/100418/R/978680/144642.pdf