Following the takeover of the majority stake in Mannesmann Plastics Machinery (MPM, D-80997 Munich; www.mpm-group.com) by the financial investment company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR; www.kkr.com), the machinery maker is again making plans for the future. The multi-brand strategy is to be consistently pursued and greater use is to be made of possible synergies. Speaking at the recent “Fakuma” in Friedrichshafen, Pepyn R. Dinandt, chairman of the management board, said that through expansion of all its activities and through acquisitions, MPM aims to achieve above-average profitability. This would faciliate a sale or stock market launch within the next five to seven years.

As one of the most important step towards increasing cost efficiency, Dinandt said MPM plans to pool the purchasing volume of its subsidiaries. Other elements of the forward-looking strategy are to push forward less market-oriented basic technologies such as drive and control technology and to improve existing synergies in the integrated production structure. This would help MPM to achieve cost leadership in its particular markets. These measures have been announced in the past, but have not been followed through. In future, the company “will do its homework better,” Dinandt remarked.

Strengthening the individual brands in the interest of the group as a whole is the declared goal of MPM, he said, while adding that the holding company intends to act as the “strategic architect.” For example, MPM supports plans by Demag Ergotech GmbH (D-90571 Schwaig; www.demag-ergotech.com) and Van Dorn Demag (www.vandorn.com) to coordinate their worldwide activities. In the field of extrusion technology. The aim is to increase market penetration through closer cooperation between Berstorff GmbH (D-30625 Hanover; www.berstorff.de) and Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH (D-80997 Munich; www.krauss-maffei.de). The two companies are also planning to extend their business to the field of flat film units.

On the personnel front, there are two new developments: Krauss-Maffei is searching for a new CEO to replace Wilhelm Schröder, who has left the company. If possible, a contract is to be signed by December. At Netstal Maschinen AG (CH-8752 Näfels; www.netstal.com), the former CEO Dieter Klug will hand over on January 1, 2003, to Bernhard Merki, currently managing director for sales and marketing, and will move to the executive committee.