Injection moulding specialist Demag Ergotech GmbH (D-90571 Schwaig; www.demag-ergotec.com) and Van Dorn Demag Corp. (Strongsville, OH/USA; www.vandorn.com) have joined their business activities under the roof of a new holding company with the name of Demag Plastics Group. The new group started its official operation on 18th November. The new holding is managed in joint operation by the two CEOs Helmar Franz and William R. Carteaux and aims at exploiting the synergy effect of joint efforts in technology and sales. Further members of the executive board include Gerhard Becker and Dr. Peter Weiss as chief finance officers (CFO), Gerd Liebig as chief strategic marketing officer (CSO), Helmut Schreiner as chief technology officer (CTO). The chief operating officer (COO) has not been disclosed as yet.

The two company product ranges are to be merged and harmonised. The production sites of both Van Dorn Demag in the US and Demag Ergotech in Germany, China and India will be joined to form a global production network. The new group has also launched a new platform strategy featuring the local production of internationally standardised injection moulding machines based on a modular system. This strategy ensures that competitive products can be supplied to all target markets.

While the new group will launch its new market presentation at NPE 2003 (from 23rd until 27th June in Chicago), the harmonisation of the product joint portfolio cannot be completed as swiftly. This process of “growing together” is planned to be completed by K´2004. Demag Plastics Group wants to increase its machine sales from the current figure of 2,000 to 3,000 by 2005.

Left to right: Helmut Schreiner (CTO), Gerhard Becker (CFO), Prof. Helmar Franz
and William R. Carteaux (CEO´s), Gerd Liebig (CSO) (Photo: Demag Plastics Group)