Physik Instrumente buys Japanese manufacturer of granite base plates

PGW is headquartered in Gifu Prefecture, the center of Japanese aerospace technology, and produces base plates made of granite with high surface precision. These serve, for example, as the basis for machine beds or measuring superstructures. PGW's portfolio also includes systems integration. Both fit in perfectly with PI's corporate strategy, which includes the establishment of a worldwide network of design centers, explains the Karlsruhe-based company. In the medium term, PI plans to integrate PGW into this network and make it the design center for the Asian region. In addition, it is planned that in the future PGW will create complete system assemblies for PI.

PI and PGW have had a business relationship for many years. The previous owner of PGW, Hayata Watanabe, has handed over his company to PI as part of the succession plan. "The acquisition by PI means that PGW will become part of a leading, globally active group of companies. This opens up enormous growth potential, which means high motivation for the highly qualified employees." PGW's current management team is to be integrated into the new structure.

Design center planned for Asia

"With PGW, we complete our systems approach for PI's entire portfolio and also strengthen our commitment to the growth markets of Asia," emphasizes Markus Spanner, Managing Director of Physik Instrumente since the beginning of last year. The company is bundling its know-how-intensive design of precision positioning systems in the planned design center for Asia. "The acquisition strengthens our growth path for the Performance Automation competence field in Asia and is a consistent further development following the opening of our manufacturing facility in China last year," affirms the CEO.

The material granite has unique thermal and vibration damping properties. PGW manufactures base plates from this material with very high flatness. These base plates form the basis for high-precision applications in semiconductor technology, life sciences, photonics and industrial automation.