The Schunk Group has acquired a majority stake in Aixemtec, a technology start-up for the high-precision and automated positioning and assembly of optical components in the nanometer range. Schunk is thus increasing its innovative strength, expanding its product portfolio in precision optics and gaining access to rapidly growing future markets in the optical industry.
Aixemtec, a start-up from Herzogenrath near Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia, was founded in 2016 as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) and now employs around 50 people. The company builds high-precision machines for the nanometer-precise positioning and assembly of optical components. It also offers automated measurement and control technology during the assembly process to check the quality of the optical function and maximize the performance of the optical system.
"For Schunk, Aixemtec is an important and strategically sensible investment, as the acquisition will increase our innovative strength and thus further expand the strong position of our technology group," says CEO Peter R. Manolopoulos.
"Aixemtec is a very good fit for Schunk because the company perfectly complements our expertise in the grinding, polishing and coating of precision optics with its know-how in assembly, adjustment and measurement," says Dr. Petra Schmidt, COO of Schunk's Division Machinery & Equipment and thus responsible for the technology group's mechanical engineering business. "With this acquisition, we are expanding our product portfolio in precision optics and will be able to offer our customers solutions along the entire process chain in the future. By working together with the companies OptoTech and Pulsar Photonics, which also belong to Schunk, we can jointly develop new innovative solutions for our customers." In addition, both companies could support Aixemtec in the internationalization of its business, Dr. Schmidt continued. "The majority shareholding in Aixemtec also gives Schunk access to rapidly growing future markets in the optical industry, such as miniaturized cameras, photonic integrated circuits and laser systems," said Dr. Schmidt.
The partnership with the 110-year-old technology group Schunk also offers great advantages for the still young company Aixemtec. "With Schunk, we are gaining a financially strong partner with whom Aixemtec can continue to grow dynamically and whose global sales network will help us to internationalize our business," said Sebastian Haag, Managing Director of Aixemtec.
