news & facts Acquisition
news & facts Acquisition provides more security and potential for innovation The Eschenlohe based Kern Microtechnik GmbH became part of the American technology group AMETEK, Inc. effective January 14, 2025. As a leading global provider of technological solutions for many different industries and an annual sale of around seven billion US Dollar, the financially strong company offers an excellent basis to realize Kern’s many creative ideas. Through AMETEK’s global network, Kern also gains more access to international markets and global infrastructure, which also provides new growth opportunities. This will further strengthen the position of the German company as a market leader in the field of high-precision machining centers and manufacturing solutions. Simon Eickholt and Sebastian Guggenmos continue to be the leading duo responsible for the business of Kern Microtechnik. For them, belonging to such a large, established and reliable group is a real stroke of luck. Eickholt explains: “We know that we have an owner in AMETEK who plans and thinks long-term. This gives us and our employees, customers and partners even more security. Accordingly, we are looking forward to a successful future together.” It is particularly important for the Kern executives to emphasize that the structure and identity of Kern Microtechnik will remain unchanged in the future. Dr. Christoph Mätzig, vice president at AMETEK, is the Looking forward to a successful future together (left to right): Sebastian Wühr, plant manager contract manufacturing at Kern; Matthias Fritz, head of R&D at Kern; Simon Eickholt, CEO at Kern; Chris Maetzig, vice president and general manager ultra precision technologies at AMETEK; Tony Ciampitti, president Electronic Instruments Group (metrology & materials analysis) at AMETEK; Sebastian Guggenmos, COO at Kern head of the “Ultra precision technologies division” business unit at AMETEK, into which Kern Microtechnik will be integrated. He confirms: “Kern fits strategically excellently into our group. Therefore we look forward to further expanding our joint know-how in precision manufacturing and continuing Kern’s success story.” For AMETEK investing in a German medium-sized company is not new territory. About 20 years ago the US technology group took over a German company for the first time. Since then, five more have followed (including Kern). None was sold again – and all are very successful. further information: www.kern-microtechnik.com New management structure The recent restructuring of the management structure at WFL Millturn Technologies has been marked by the withdraw of Norbert Jungreithmayr, who has been with the company for 27 years, including a 20-year tenure as CEO. However he will be transitioning out of the operational business but will continue to offer his expertise in the field of corporate development. The existing management team will remain in place and continue to pursue its current course. Since April 1 st , 2025, the operational management will be collectively undertaken by the three incumbent managing directors, Franz Schön (COO), Stefan Hackl (CCO & CFO) and Günther Mayr (CSO & CTO), a configuration grounded in continuity and a history of collaborative endeavors. It is further noted that under the long-standing leadership of Norbert Jungreithmayr, WFL has successfully developed further, driven innovation and built up a strong market position. In his new role Norbert Jungreithmayr expresses his anticipation in contributing further to the company’s success. In light of this transition WFL is shifting its strategic focus towards a modern and agile leadership model, one that fosters expeditious decision-making processes and close collaboration. further information: www.wfl.at 24 no. 2, May 2025
news & facts Generation change at ZECHA Innovative technologies pave the way for future success After 25 years at the helm, Reiner Kirschner is bidding farewell to ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH. He has handed over his shares to Yannik Zecha, son of Stefan Zecha. From April 2025, father and son will manage the ZECHA group together, actively shaping its future. The changeover underlines ZECHA’s commitment to its long-term corporate strategy and emphasizes its focus on precision cutting tools. With its origins in the Pforzheim clock industry, ZECHA has developed into a key player in the production of micro-tools. With 60 years of experience and expertise, the Königsbach- Stein-based company is a global partner and problem solver for precision tools in micro-machining as well as punching and moulding technology. The company has always stood for for quality, high-end technology and innovative strength – a tradition that is now being passed on to the next generation. Reiner Kirschner: a life spent in precision tool manufacturing Reiner Kirschner has made a decisive contribution to the growth and success of ZECHA with his technical expertise: his professional career began 1976 with an apprenticeship as a toolmaker. He continued his training – among other things, as a state-certified master toolmaker and designer. By 1996 he had gained extensive experience as a department head in toolmaking before joining ZECHA as a sales representative. 2000 he became managing director. Working together with Stefan Zecha, ZECHA developed into an internationally recognized supplier of high-precision micro-tools. In addition to its headquarters in Königsbach-Stein, ZECHA is well positioned internationally working with strong partners, such as ZECHA Precision Tools Ltd in India with 140 employees. A close-knit distribution network in the DACH countries and Europe ensures that customers are supplied quickly and reliably with high-quality tool solutions. The ZECHA Group also includes AlienTools GmbH (Berlin) for the worldwide online distribution of dental and precision tools, and CIMTRODE GmbH (Austria), which specializes in measuring technology. Reiner Kirschner: “After 29 years, 25 of them as technical managing director at ZECHA, I have decided that this is the right time to finish working. It was important to me to place what I have built up over decades in good hands. In Yannik Zecha I have found a good successor for the future of the company.” Yannik Zecha is taking over his shares of ZECHA Precision Tools Ltd., AlienTools and CIMTRODE and is thus continuing the company’s successful growth into the third “Zecha” generation. Yannik Zecha: the third generation steps up Yannik Zecha, born in 1998, completed a degree in mechanical engineering in Karlsruhe after graduating from high school in 2017. Gaining practical experience at ZECHA, he Reiner Kirschner (left, outgoing managing director), Yannik Zecha and Stefan Zecha (right; management board) then studied international management in Heidelberg, including a semester abroad at San Diego State University in California. His well-rounded education provides the ideal basis for his new role managing the company. “First of all, I would like to thank Reiner Kirschner for his trust in me. From a young age, I have been able to witness how the company has developed positively and grown to its present size, partly thanks to him. It was impressed to see how my father and Reiner Kirschner divided their responsibilities – they brought complementing strengths to the table, making them the perfect team.” A future through innovation and high-end technology ZECHA has found its niches offering solutions for machining titanium, stainless steel and special materials in medical and dental technology. The focus on these markets is a great advantage for ZECHA against the background of change in the automotive industry. Thus they are only slightly affected by these changes, remaining robust and future-proof. Despite its specialization in micro-tools, or maybe even because of it, the company has always maintained its vision and never lost its innovative spirit. A great deal of investment has been made in new technologies and similar developments, enabling the medium-sized company to keep abreast of new trends in many sectors and open up new business areas. ZECHA also relies on the expertise, technology transfer and innovative strength of high-caliber technology suppliers in areas such as grinding technology, hard metals and coatings. One milestone, for example, was the launch of the LaserSmart 500 processing center for ultra-hard materials such as CBN, PCD and CVD in 2015. Today ZECHA already has four further ultramodern Femto laser systems – a technology which Yannik Zecha intends to expand further. “As a project engineer I have been involved with 3D lasers at ZECHA for a long time. I see great potential for future developments in this technology. That’s why I will continue to pursue this path and focus more on cutting tools”, explains Yannik Zecha. further information: www.zecha.de no. 2, May 2025 25
