LINCK acquires EWD from Esterer AG

May 10, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Effective May 1, 2007 the LINCK-Group has acquired from Esterer AG, Altoetting their 100% share of the company Esterer WD GmbH (EWD), Altoetting. In 1996, EWD was formed as a joint venture of the 2 companies Esterer AG and Wurster + Dietz GmbH & Co. both with a long tradition in sawmill machinery. The companies have a history of more than 150 years, Esterer being located in Altoetting and Wurster + Dietz in the Tuebingen area. With a good order volume in the books, approximately 260 people are employed at the headquarter in Altoetting and an office location in Reutlingen. In the past business year EWD has achieved a turn-over of more than Euro 43 million with a rising tendency for the years to come. The export share of the turn over for the coming business year, taken from the order book will reach a level of approximately 80%. The LINCK-Group will employ more than 590 people following the acquisition. On top of that, approximately 30-40 temporary workers are employed. LINCK will have a turnover of approximately Euro 80 million with an export share of roughly 60%, excluding the EWD turn-over. The combined turn-over will therefore be approximately Euro 130 million. LINCK themselves have also a very long tradition and manufactures their equipment since the mid 19th century at the factory in Oberkirch in Ortenau county. LINCK is the leading manufacturer worldwide in the profiling technology. The aim of the acquisition is the significant increase of the market share of the systems sold worldwide to the sawmill industry. LINCK themselves did not have in the past the Bandsaw technology in their program, the scope of products is extended with this. LINCK is now Europe’s leading manufacturer of sawmill machinery. With the acquisition LINCK gives an employment guarantee for 2 years to the employees of the Esterer WD GmbH and the complete management team of the company is taken over as well. The production program of EWD will be continued in its full extent. The locations Altoetting and Reutlingen will be kept. LINCK and EWD will remain independent companies, offering to the market their respective products. The main goal of both companies is the further development of all available technologies. LINCK and EWD will continue to be reliable partners to the sawmill industry for the future.