Sheet metalworkers LVD and Pullmax merge
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LVD Company nv, Gullegem, Belgium, and Pullmax AB, Göteborg, have entered into an agreement that will see them combine sales, service, production and research and development facilities.
In Scandinavia and the UK, LVD and Pullmax sales and service operations will be merged at a country level to provide an integrated sales and service network for LVD and Pullmax customers alike. For all other markets, LVD will provide sales and service support via an extensive network of subsidiaries and agents.
The agreement will expand the product offerings and market reach of both companies and will create one of the industry's largest sheet metalworking equipment manufacturers with manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Central Europe, the US and China, providing representation in over 50 countries worldwide including 20 direct sales and service subsidiaries.
Under the agreement, each company will maintain its independent corporate identity but will combine key operations in the areas of sales, service, production and engineering development.
LVD will manufacture Pullmax punching machines for the world market and will collaborate with Pullmax on research and development efforts for future punching products and technology. The complete range of Pullmax punching machines will be added to LVD's existing punch press product portfolio. The result will be the industry's most comprehensive punching product offering with a broad range of capabilities and an extensive line of automated systems.
Pullmax will represent LVD laser cutting, punching, bending and shearing equipment, as well as LVD software and mid-range automation products. Pullmax, a company with 73 years history, has more than 50,000 machines installed worldwide.
Jean-Pierre Lefebvre, chairman of LVD, said: "We are enthusiastic about combining forces with Pullmax to offer a broader umbrella of high-level punching products and more extensive automation solutions to our customers. The addition of Pullmax punch presses to our Strippit line of punching products further strengthens and positions the LVD brand."
Tomas Hellström, chairman of Pullmax, added: "LVD's vast range of products, and in particular their expertise in forming, laser cutting technology and offline software technology, opens doors of opportunity for Pullmax to offer increased added value to our customers by having a more comprehensive set of solutions beyond our core punching and automation products."
