Stäubli Group acquired a 70 percent stake in WFT GmbH & Co. KG, a company based in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany. WFT has been a specialist in the construction of special purpose machines and mobile platforms for two decades. This acquisition allows the company’s to join forces on autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) and automation add-ons.

All employees of the acquired business will join the Stäubli Robotics Division, while the factory in Sulzbach- Rosenberg will become part of the new company’s global production network.

The new company will operate under the name Stäubli WFT GmbH. Following the recent acquiring of RS Roman Seliger, based in Norderstedt, Germany, as part of the Fluid Connectors Division, this new integration of WFT is also perfectly in line with the Group’s strategy of combining organic growth with targeted acquisitions to offer its clients innovative products and technologies.

[Related: July 2018 Robotics & Intelligent Systems Investments]

“Stäubli and WFT share a common belief to provide high- tech automation solutions of top quality to our customers by fully focusing on them and their specific needs,” says Rolf Strebel, CEO of Stäubli. “Our clients will profit from this step as our products complement each other. We warmly welcome WFT and its employees in the Stäubli Group and look forward to further expanding our business together.”

Both parties have agreed to keep the transaction price confidential.

“Our customers will benefit from our combined expertise and new applications, for example, in AGVs and robotic add-ons. In terms of productivity, high speed, resistance and flexibility, Stäubli Robotics delivers distinct technical advantages,” adds Gerald Vogt, Group Division Manager Robotics.

“We are looking forward joining Stäubli. Together, we will further develop our high-quality products and offer advanced technological solutions for our clients,” states Franz Wittich, who founded WFT and has been the Managing Director in the past and will continue to hold this position at the new Stäubli unit in Sulzbach-Rosenberg.