Engel invests in automation specialist

The ties between collaboration partners injection molding machine manufacturer Engel Austria and automation specialist TMA were recently further strengthened with Engel’s acquisition of a majority stake in its Polish automation partner.

Engel has a strong presence in Eastern Europe, and with the acquisition of TMA is taking the next step for further growth in the region, said Stefan Engleder, CEO of the Engel Group. One strategic focus is Poland and the neighboring eastern European countries.

TMA will benefit by gaining worldwide access through Engel to customers looking for TMA Automation solutions, including both IML robots and the full range of the so-called downstream automation options such as take out robots, palletizing systems and visual quality control systems developed by the company.

"TMA's technologies perfectly complement Engel's in-house spectrum of robots and automation components," said Walter Aumayr, vice president automation and peripheral units for Engel.

Engel offers highly-integrated and fully-automated production cells for injection molding applications from a single source. One of TMA's focuses is on automating in-mold labelling processes in the medium performance segment.

"With TMA, we have gained a know-how provider who knows the specific requirements of this performance segment very well and optimally serves them with solutions tailored to them," Engleder said. In the high-performance segment, Engel will continue to cooperate with its long-standing partners for IML automation.

Founded in 2010 by Marek Łangowski and Piotr Orlikowski, TMA is today a 40-person engineering company with an annual turnover of approx. 2.5 million euros ($2.7 million) that specializes in the design, construction and implementation of robots, dedicated automation and robotization for in-mold labelling technology. The company will remain an independent brand and market player into the future. The two founders, who have retained a minority share, will continue to manage the company, with Walter Aumayr joining  the management team as a third managing director.

TMA is looking ahead to continuing on its path of growth. To that end, the company has already purchased a site in Gdansk where it plans to construct a new office and production facility.

"As a location, Gdansk, with its good infrastructure and large number of technical universities in the surrounding area, is the ideal starting position for excellent access to a qualified expert workforce," Aumayr said. "We will also be expanding the workforce at the new Gdansk facility."