UPDATED FEB. 10.
Austria-based Haidlmair GmbH of has set up a North American manufacturing base by purchasing a majority stake in Canadian mold-maker Tesan Mould Inc. in Concord, Ontario.
The news comes less than two months before NPE 2015.
The family-owned Haidlmair, from Nussbach, Austria, has concentrated on the expansion into new markets in the last few years. Since 2012 the Haidlmair Group has had a service center in the United States. Kurt Blechner is the company's North American sales representative.
Tesan also is family-owned and has been producing molds since 1978.
The Canadian toolmaker recently went through a generational shift as founder Riccardo Tesan passed the reins to his oldest son, Lucas Tesan, who was named general manager. Younger son Jesse Tesan is production manager.
With the majority purchase by Haidlmair, the company will change its name to Haidlmair North America.
Haidlmair specializes in large injection molds for reusable packaging such as crates for beverage bottles, recycling bins and automotive parts. Haidlmair North America also will specialize in big molds for the horticulture industry and plastic containers for home and garden use.
Haidlmair Group has grown to 10 operations in six countries. A few tooling specialists from the Austrian parent will relocate to Canada to support their new colleagues, Haidlmair officials said.
CEO Mario Haidlmair said the two companies are a good fit: “We are very happy about our new member in the Haidlmair Group and are very optimistic about the future. Haidlmair North American represents a significant improvement for our partners in this part of the world and we are anxiously awaiting the many customers there which we now may provide with high end tooling made by Haidlmair,” he said.
Lucas Tesan agreed. “During the negotiations we came to an agreement very fast because we are very much alike: Innovative, always looking into the future with a positive outlook and remembering the past tradition at the same time and knowledge which is required to be successful,” he said.
Tesan said Haidlmair has a worldwide reputation. “What we are most happy about is the fact that we are now able to take care of our customers in a much better and complete fashion.”
Haidlmair Group is exhibiting at NPE 2015 at Booth S24213-06/07. In addition to injection molds, show visitors will see the company's thermoforming and automation products from its member company Mould & Matic Solutions GmbH.
Also, a Haidlmair mold will be running parts in Wittmann Battenfeld Inc.'s NPE exhibit, Booth W2743.