(Manufacturing.net) — Sterling Heights, Mich.-based KUKA Systems Group, has finalized its acquisition of the plant engineering business of privately-owned Utica Companies, which is headquartered in Shelby Township, Mich. The purchase price was not disclosed, but the companies involved said it was in the range of low double-digit million euros. As the transaction was completed, KUKA Systems became the No. 1 manufacturing systems supplier in the North American automotive sector.
With the Utica acquisition, KUKA will absorb the businesses that build car body assembly lines and subsystems, and products like laser welding heads, net form and pierce systems, standard press room automation for metal stamping, and more. 300 Utica employees have already joined the 1,300-member KUKA Systems team in southeastern Michigan. The companies reiterated that no jobs would be eliminated, because KUKA currently holds a large backlog in orders.
Lawrence A. Drake, President and CEO of KUKA Systems Group, said in a statement: “With this acquisition KUKA Systems is leveraging its technologies. Moreover, our customers will benefit from an expanded manufacturing footprint, talent pool and knowledge base with greater economies of scale. It also stresses our leadership in welding and other joining technologies. We are excited to welcome Utica employees joining KUKA.”
