CHICAGO (Aug. 7, 5:45 p.m. EDT) — Changes for Bielomatik Inc. of New Hudson, Mich., include new management, more space and employees, and sales growth.
Marcus Rauchhaus, who joined the operation last year as president and chief executive officer, projects 2006 sales growth of 20 percent vs. last year. He declined to provide sales figures.
In linear vibration welding, Bielomatik showed at NPE in Chicago upgrades using closed-loop hydraulic control with pressure feedback, along with automatic tool-weight compensation.
Bielomatik had 33,000 square feet of space until last year, when it leased another 6,000 square feet, largely for a research and development laboratory and more space for tool trials and prototype production. Employment increased to 60 from 40 with particular boosts in design and assembly capabilities.
“Ten percent of our sales volume is through prototype development work with customers,” said Jeff Weddell, sales manager.
The parent company, Bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. KG of Neuffen, Germany, was founded by Hans Biel in 1946.
In 2004, Bielomatik Leuze established a joint venture for the Chinese market with Lin Gao Ultrasonic Equipment. The venture in Dongguan, China, employs 80.
In addition to the plastics welding business, Bielomatik units make machines and systems for paper processing, lubrication technology and radio frequency identification.