Dieffenbacher acquires Schmidt & Heinzmann composites business

Georg Obermaier, head of the Forming Business Unit at Dieffenbacher (left) and Dieffenbacher CFO Lukas Langer (right). Source | Dieffenbacher GmbH

Dieffenbacher GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (Eppingen, Germany) has acquired the composites business of the insolvent Schmidt & Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG (Bruchsal, Germany). The acquisition includes all intangible assets such as design and project documents and the know-how of the composites business. Schmidt’s 30-plus employee contracts under this business unit will also be transferred to Dieffenbacher.

Schmidt & Heinzmann filed for insolvency at the beginning of August 2024. Rising raw material costs and the belated introduction of strategic measures led to the company’s economic difficulties. “Despite this, Schmidt & Heinzmann has a reputation in the composites industry for its SMC manufacturing technologies,” says Dieffenbacher CFO Lukas Langer. “The company’s products are internationally recognized for their high quality and performance.”

These are attributes that fit well with Dieffenbacher’s Forming Business Unit, which “has accomplished projects in the composites industry for almost 100 years,” according to its head, Georg Obermaier. “We also have a long tradition in the SMC sector,” he says. “Schmidt & Heinzmann systems expand our delivery spectrum. We’ll also be able to offer our existing SMC customers an even more comprehensive range of services. No changes to the Schmidt & Heinzmann portfolio are planned. We’ll also maintain their service and spare parts supply.”

The ultimate goal is to leverage synergies and promote the growth potential of the Schmidt & Heinzmann portfolio. Obermaier expects that Dieffenbacher’s strong international presence and its global network will open up new markets and applications for the company’s products, which will continue to be offered under the Schmidt & Heinzmann brand.

“We’re already having intensive discussions with Schmidt & Heinzmann customers about continuing joint projects,” says Langer. “We’re pleased with the trust placed in us and look forward to our future cooperation.”