OMAX Corp — a manufacturer of abrasive water-jet systems — plans to join forces with Hypertherm (a US-based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software) following the signing of an agreement that establishes OMAX as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hypertherm.

The transaction will see OMAX’s direct-drive pumps, software and applications technologies will combine with Hypertherm’s complementary portfolio of intensifier-based pumps and abrasive recycling systems to form a leading water-jet technology offering.

John Cheung, co-founder and CEO of OMAX (www.omax.com), said: “When the late Dr Olsen and I founded OMAX 25 years ago, our goal was to combine new motion control technology with software to create an abrasive water-jet system unlike anything else on the market.

"We more than succeeded, creating one of the world’s top water-jet manufacturers. We have been planning for the
future of OMAX for some time, and we wanted to partner with a company that shared our values and vision.

"We wanted a company that would protect our culture, provide stability for our employees, and give our customers products and services consistent with our mission statement.”

Hypertherm says it does not plan to make significant changes to OMAX’s operations, management structure or distribution channels.

The company’s current offices and manufacturing operations in Kent (Washington), where most of its 367 staff members are located, will remain intact, with no consolidations or reductions planned (in keeping with Hypertherm’s no-lay-
off philosophy).

Hypertherm also anticipates continuing both the Hypertherm and OMAX water-jet product offerings and brands, as the companies’ technologies and business models “balance each other”.