SCHWERTBERG, Austria—Engel Holding GmbH is expanding the reach of its Chinese subsidiary Wintec into North America and Brazil, using the upcoming NPE show to begin selling Wintec's standard grade injection molding machines in the U.S.
Wintec, which is based in Changzhou, China, has focused on Asia since launching as a separate unit within Engel in 2014.
But Engel now says it sees opportunities for Wintec's offering of simpler machines in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the U.S., in areas such as single-component molding, where special technologies may not be needed.
"In addition to sophisticated applications that require tailor-made injection molding solutions, we see a strong demand in America for injection molding machines that handle standard applications," said Christoph Steger, Engel chief strategy officer. "By expanding the sales area to the American markets, as the Engel Group we can provide tailored solutions at an attractive price/performance ratio."
The company said it will offer its hydraulic Wintec t-win series from 500 tons to 1,900 tons clamping force, and its electric e-win series from 55 to 310 tons clamping force.
The company said it plans to start selling the machines in the American markets in May and already has set up a network of local service technicians, along with a spare parts warehouse.
Longtime Engel executive Peter Auinger will head the new push as Wintec President Americas. Auinger started the Wintec operations in China, and prior to that had been head of Engel's subsidiary in Mexico.
Wintec machines are not customized, but instead are delivered preconfigured, shortening lead times.
NPE2018 is scheduled for May 7-11 in Orlando, Fla. Engel is exhibiting in booth W3303.