GF Machining Solutions buys fellow Swiss machine tool builder Liechti Engineering

GF Machining Solutions is known for its EDM, laser ablation and machining centre technology, and Liechti Engineering is a specialist in 5-axis milling machines designed to produce blades and blisks for aircraft engines and power generating turbines. The current management of Liechti Engineering, under Ralph Liechti, will remain in place and the company continues to operate out of its current premises in Langnau. With more than 10,000 planes on plane makers' order books, the acquisition of Liechti Engineering AG will allow GF Machining Solutions to significantly strengthen its presence in this sector. Say Yves Serra, CEO of GF Machining Solutions' owner GF: "Liechti Engineering AG brings a wealth of know-how and a well-established reputation for high performance and superior service for its customers. Together, the two companies offer a wide array of technologies for the production of aircraft engine parts as well as a worldwide sales and service organization to support its customers." Speaking for Leichti, Ralph Liechti offers: "All of us are proud to become a part of GF Machining Solutions, and I am sure to have found the right partner to continue with our business. We are excited about the idea of combining our know-how with GF Machining Solutions to serve our customers in the aerospace and energy sectors with an even wider range of products and services." Liechti Engineering AG is a family-owned company with an annual turnover exceeding CHF 50 million (£32.6 million). It employs 120 people worldwide and its customer base includes all the significant names in the aircraft and power generating industries. GF Machining Solutions had a 2013 turnover of CHF867 million (£565 million). Image: Leichti machine processing a blade<