German Precision Machine Tool Manufacturer Selects Konecranes Machine Tool Service to Support Their Products in North America
SPRINGFIELD, OH--(Marketwired - February 22, 2016) - Konecranes Machine Tool Service, the nation's leader in machine tool maintenance, rebuilding, retrofitting and repair services for all types and brands of machine tools, has announced that it will be the North American service provider for Burkhardt+Weber, a high-end German machine tool manufacturer whose Americas distribution is based in Erlanger, KY. Burkhardt+Weber builds horizontal machining centers and boring mills whose automation makes them extremely flexible and universal to use. The company is known for building machines so precise that they are frequently used to manufacture other machine tools.
According to Burkhardt+Weber President Theodor Sprenger, the company aims to do $30 million USD in annual sales in North America. The relationship with Konecranes machine tool subsidiary will allow them to enter the market with less investment and the ability to assure customers that the machines will be properly cared for, wherever they are located.
"Konecranes Machine Tool Service is one of a limited roster of companies selected for Siemens Solutions partnership program, which was a major contributing factor for this relationship," says Sprenger. "Customers come to us and want factory service. Konecranes Machine Tool Service has a high level of qualification. They can provide the services we require everywhere in the North American market."
Konecranes Machine Tool Service will handle machine installation, repair, inspections and maintenance, along with machine remanufacturing and rebuilds. They will also provide warranty support.
"We are very familiar with the advanced technology being used today by Burkhardt+Weber and some other high-end machine tool manufacturers," says Konecranes Machine Tool Service Vice President Technical Services, Region Americas Harold Schoch. "There is a significant overlap with our client base which increases the trust level for the customer. We act as a single source that the customer can go to for all his service needs, coast-to-coast."
Both Konecranes Machine Tool Service and Burkhardt+Weber are well-known providers in the diesel engine technology, heavy equipment manufacturing, power generation, gearbox manufacturing, mining and commercial vehicle industries.
"We are a fifth-generation machine tool service company, now part of Konecranes, which is the world's largest crane service company," says Schoch. "It is exciting to partner with a premier machine tool builder such as Burkhardt+Weber to care for their machines as they enter the U.S. market."
North American machine tool buyers who want the advantages of German precision technology without the expense and customs headache of flying experts in from Europe will appreciate the new relationship.
"It was clear that we needed a competent partner for this venture," says Sprenger. "I have known the Konecranes Machine Tool Service group for years and know the quality of work they are doing. Burkhardt+Weber can benefit from their expertise, giving us a stronger foothold as we enter the U.S. market."
About Konecranes, Inc.
Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes.
In 2014, Group sales totaled EUR 2,011 million. The Group has 12,000 employees at 600 locations in 48 countries. Konecranes is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (HEX: KCR1V).