Textile processing

2023-08-03

SONOTRONIC on the upswing: Ultrasonic custom machine manufacturer under the new management of Dr. Frank Meyer

SONOTRONIC welcomes high-ranking managing directors in the course of the restructuring: From left: Mr. Wang, Mr. Chen, Mr. Frank, Mr. Rau, Mr. Hägele, Mr. Zhang Min, Mr. Wahl, Ms. Oeser, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Jaeger, Ms. Fan© 2023 PFAFF Industrial

The ultrasonic special machine manufacturer SONOTRONIC from Karlsbad has a new owner. After a nine-month period of insolvency and restructuring, the company is now part of the Dürkopp Adler Group (DA Group), which in turn is part of the internationally active Shang Gong Group (SGG). Dr. Frank Meyer takes over the position of Managing Director. The acquisition of the ultrasound expert opens up new opportunities for SGG to expand its portfolio and strengthen its position in the global market. Customers can benefit from the proven products and services of the future SONOTRONIC GmbH.

Most recently, Mr. Zhang Min, CEO of the SGG, and other delegates of the DA Group visited the headquarters of the ultrasonic custom machine manufacturer SONOTRONIC in Karlsbad for the official integration of the company. This visit marks a significant and historic post-merger milestone and begins a new era. "We are convinced that the acquisition of SONOTRONIC is an important step for the future of the SGG and the DA Group. We look forward to working together to develop innovative solutions for our customers," said Mr. Zhang Min.

The restart of the specialist for ultrasonic welding technology will be initiated on August 1, 2023 by Dürkopp Adler Investment GmbH, which will operate under the name SONOTRONIC GmbH in the future. In addition to the company's headquarters in Karlsbad, the subsidiaries in the USA and Spain will also remain part of the group. This secures around 200 jobs for the development and manufacture of special machines, standard machines, assemblies and components for processing plastics and technical textiles. The new Managing Director, Dr. Frank Meyer, already acts in this function for PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH and KSL, which are also part of the DA Group.

Dürkopp Adler GmbH is the parent company of the DA Group, which includes Pfaff Industrial, KSL, and now SONOTRONIC as well. Today, the group is the largest European manufacturer of sewing and welding technology for the textile industry. With the acquisition of SONOTRONIC, the DA Group will expand its portfolio in the field of automation for industrial sewing and welding technology. Another synergy effect is the use of the worldwide distribution network.

After the restructuring was transferred, CEO Dr. Frank Meyer thanked everyone for their excellent cooperation during the course of the proceedings. He particularly praised the commitment of the workforce: "The whole team continued to work with full commitment during the insolvency proceedings. Without their commitment, this positive result would not have been possible. With the technology and know-how of SONOTRONIC, we can expand areas of the DA Group and serve new markets," said Meyer. For the insolvency administrator Tobias Wahl from the law firm Anchor Rechtsanwälte, the insolvency and restructuring phase has come to a swift and promising conclusion. "The acquisition is very good news for the company, the employees and the region. It offers a sustainable perspective under the umbrella of a strongly positioned group that is a perfect strategic fit for the company," says Wahl.

SONOTRONIC has been a pioneer in ultrasonic technology since 1974 and is one of the leading companies in the industry. The innovative machines are used worldwide by well-known OEMs in the automotive industry to produce plastic parts in the exterior and interior. In addition, high-tech ultrasonic systems are produced for the plastics, packaging, food, textile, medical and environmental industries. The dedicated team is actively committed to sustainable bonding technology.

At the beginning of November 2022, management filed for insolvency for SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH. The insolvency court opened insolvency proceedings on 1 February 2023. Just three months later, at the end of April, an investor solution was found and agreed upon with the Dürkopp Adler Group, which will now be implemented on August 1, 2023.