Sandvik has signed an agreement to acquire US-based DWFritz Automation Inc, a leading global provider of precision metrology, inspection, and assembly solutions for advanced manufacturing applications.

DWFritz Automation designs, builds and supports engineer-to-order, high-speed, non-contact metrology solutions and automation systems. Established in 1973, the company is a trusted partner of many Fortune 500 customers — with over 2,000 systems installed worldwide.

Stefan Widing, Sandvik president and CEO, said: “This acquisition is in line with our strategic focus to grow organically and through acquisitions in the advanced manufacturing space, with special focus on industrial software, industrial metrology and additive manufacturing solutions.”

Kim Hansen, president of the metrology division of Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, said: “By acquiring DWFritz Automation, we will be able to expand our metrology and automation offering further.

“This will not only strengthen our position, but will also enable us to offer full metrology solutions to our customers – which will reduce cost and improve quality significantly in their broader value chain.”

A privately held company, DWFritz Automation is headquartered in the USA, with offices in China and France. In 2020, the company had around 560 employees.

Game-changer in the world of metrology
Mike Fritz, CEO of DWFritz Automation said: “Since our founding, we have continuously advanced the interests of our customers by being innovative and investing in new technology to help accomplish their critical missions. This synergy will allow us to add even more value to customers and partners, in addition to expanding our footprint across key markets through Sandvik’s global presence. This agreement is a game-changer in the world of metrology and automation and we are thrilled to be part of it.”

Over the years, DWFritz Automation has developed complex precision automation and metrology systems for some of the world’s most well-known brands in a variety of industry sectors. Several products constitute the company’s product portfolio – including the ZeroTouch product family, which is based on a unique and patented, high-speed, non-contact metrology platform architecture with micrometer precision.

Through this acquisition, DWFritz Automation will become part of the Metrology Division within Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Two metrology companies are already part of the Metrology Division in Sandvik — Metrologic Group and ATT Metrology Services. Metrologic Group designs and sells 3-D measurement software solutions, electronic devices and related services to blue chip customers, where accuracy ranges from a few micrometers to sub-millimetres.

With more than 40 years’ of experience, the company has developed robotised solutions, combining robot programming and metrology in one single software. ATT Metrology Services is a provider of advanced on-site precision measurement services, using ‘state of the art’ metrology equipment and software – and has more than 30 years’ of experience.