Stäubli Group, Duncan, S.C., acquired a 70% stake in WFT GmbH & Co. KG, a Germany-based specialist in the construction of special purpose machines and mobile platforms. This acquisition allows Stäubli Group to join innovative forces in new complementary fields such as autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) and automation add-ons.  

All WFT employees will join the Stäubli robotics division, and the Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany, factory will become part of the global production network of Stäubli in Switzerland. The new company will operate under the name Stäubli WFT GmbH.

“Stäubli and WFT share a common belief to provide high-tech automation solutions of top quality to our customers by fully focusing on them and their specific needs,” says Rolf Strebel, chief executive officer of Stäubli. “Our clients will profit from this step as our products complement each other. We warmly welcome WFT and its employees in the Stäubli Group, and look forward to further expanding our business together.”  

With this acquisition, Stäubli will strengthen its global position in robotics.

“Our customers will benefit from our combined expertise and new applications, for example, in AGVs and robotic add-ons. In terms of productivity, high speed, resistance and flexibility, Stäubli Robotics delivers distinct technical advantages,” adds Gerald Vogt, group division manager robotics for Stäubli.

“We are looking forward to joining Stäubli. Together, we will further develop our high-quality products and offer advanced technological solutions for our clients,” says Franz Wittich, founder and managing director of WFT.