Flat-die maker Extrusion Dies Inc. has sold its Germany-based EDI Europe subsidiary back to its previous owner, as the company focuses on partnerships instead of acquisitions.
EDI created EDI Europe in 1998 when it bought a small machining shop in Wiehl-Hubender, Germany, from Peter Muller. Now EDI, based in Chippewa Falls, Wis., is selling the business back to Muller. The German operation, now named Extrusion Dies Service, will remain as EDI's agent and licensed repair and reconditioning facility.
EDS serves Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. EDS was descended from a company that began representing EDI in Germany in 1974.
EDI, which makes flat dies for cast film and sheet and extrusion coating, wants to strengthen its business around the world. It makes more sense to set up partnerships with local firms experienced in flat dies than it does to buy companies in different countries, said Timothy C. Callahan, president and chief executive officer.
``This is going to allow us to be in more places around the world, through these strategic partnerships,'' Callahan said.
In Japan, EDI is strengthening its longstanding alliance with Kodama Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. of Tokyo. While Kodama has sold EDI dies, the company now also will rework the dies and provide other customer service. More details will be announced soon.
``We see these alliances as part of a bigger plan to establish regional service centers around the world,'' Callahan said.
EDI also recently set up agents in Scandinavia and Thailand, the first agents to represent EDU solely in those areas.
Last year, EDI also created Extrusion Dies UK in Leicester, England, to handle repair, remanufacturing and service in that country.
