iwis acquires the Unimet Group, a specialist for high-precision metal sheet stamping and bending

The Munich-based iwis holding company (Joh. Winklhofer Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG) has acquired the Unimet Group, which is made up of Unimet GmbH (Rieden), Leukert GmbH (Kaufbeuren) and Unimet Pty (Singapore), with the approval of the antitrust authorities.

The Unimet Group was founded by Rudi Kolb more than 40 years ago. The Group has extensive expertise in the field of high-precision sheet metalworking, stamping and bending, in particular in electrical connection technology, press-fit technology, IDC insulation displacement contacts and MCS contact technology and supplies components and hybrid systems to customers across the globe. No matter whether it be short or long manufacturing runs, the production of prototypes from existing data, or development, design and series production using tools from the in-house toolmaking shop, the company offers high-precision products to their customers from the automotive, IT, conveyor, medical engineering, communication, lighting, electronics, control technology, aerospace and energy industries.

By integrating the Unimet Group, iwis is adding to its manufacturing expertise and engineering skills in the field of electrical engineering and electrical connection technology. The Unimet Group will be the lead company in the new iwis division "Unimet Precision Parts". The goal is to bring this new division out of Europe through organic and inorganic growth. Dr. Peter Kreisfeld, CEO of iwis antriebssysteme, takes over the management chairmanship of the Unimet Group. Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Wagner will continue to be active in his role as Managing Director.

iwis is the world leader in innovative, cost-effective timing drive systems based on precision chains. Virtually all car manufacturers throughout the world are supplied with a total of 60,000 systems each day from plants in Munich and Landsberg. In addition to the automotive industry, iwis also supplies precision roller chains to the mechanical engineering and plant construction industries across the globe. The chains are used in the printing and paper industry, packaging industry and conveyor technology, as well as in general engineering and the agricultural machinery industry.

Founded in 1916, the company is now managed by Johannes Winklhofer, the fourth generation of his family to do so. iwis employs more than 2,000 people worldwide with the Unimet Group and is aiming for 2018 sales of 465 million euros. Besides its production plants in Germany (Munich, Landsberg, Wilnsdorf and Sontra) and in China, the USA and the Czech Republic, it has subsidiaries in various European and overseas countries, including Brazil, UK, France, India, Italy, Canada, Korea, Switzerland, Singapore and South Africa. iwis is represented at a total of 45 locations worldwide.

Learn more about the Unimet Group

Corporate information:

iwis is a leading supplier of precision chain systems for drive and conveyor applications and is now active in the following areas:

• iwis motorsysteme GmbH & Co. KG makes chains and timing drives for the automotive industry.
• iwis antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG manufactures precision roller chains and conveyor chains for industrial applications, including machine and plant engineering, packaging and printing, the food industry and conveyor technology.
• iwis systemtechnik GmbH produces high-precision punched and bended parts and shielded housings for various industries.
• Unimet Group has extensive expertise in the field of high-precision sheet metalworking, stamping and bending, in particular in electrical connection technology, press-fit technology, IDC insulation displacement contacts and MCS contact technology.
• THIEN eDrives GmbH: e-mobility and electric motors

Contact for press:

Joh. Winklhofer Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG

Andrea Schiller
Tel.: +49 (0)89 76909 1111
Email: [email protected]