Burgkunstadt, 12th December 2022
- Acquisition of KONŠTRUKTA-TireTech (KTT) to accelerate growth
- Changes in KEF’s German management team
Karl Eugen Fischer (KEF), the world’s leading manufacturer and developer of cutting systems for the tire industry has acquired Slovak-based KONŠTRUKTA-TireTech (KTT), a producer of extrusion and cutting machines for the tire industry. Closing of the transaction was beginning of December.
KEF is a portfolio company of funds advised by Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) and was acquired in 2018.
With this acquisition, KEF drives the market consolidation for cutting solutions and expands its portfolio with high-performance extrusion equipment. Clients will benefit from the combined service and engineering capabilities of the two well-known companies.
Tilo Heinen, CFO of KEF, explains the company’s decision: “In the last 12 months we successfully launched new products such as RFID lamination systems or a single-head extruder. However, we want to accelerate our growth with this strategic acquisition to enter the multi-head extrusion market and to extend our global production footprint”.
Marcel Drgala, CEO of KTT, is pleased about the new owner: “KEF is the perfect partner who can support us in our further growth initiatives and internationalization thanks to its excellent world-wide customer relationships. This step will open next opportunities for KTT to accelerate company’s progress and strengthening its market position”.
In addition to that acquisition, KEF is also announcing a change in its German management team. Dr. Jörn Seevers has been appointed as managing director and CEO. Dr. Seevers previously held leading positions with Giti Tire, Continental and served as managing director for Harburg-Freudenberger Maschinenbau GmbH. Harald Becker-Ehmck, chairman of the advisory board of KEF: “We are pleased to have gained a proven industry expert in Dr. Seevers who is in the position to contribute with his know-how and network to support KEF’s and KTT’s further growth”.
The management team is completed further on by Tilo Heinen (CFO) and Detlef Knorr (CSO).
About KEF
KEF is the world market leader in cord cutting systems for the tire industry with more than 50 years of industry experience. Product offerings are mainly cutting lines consisting of let-off stations, feeding systems, cutters, conveyors, splicers, slitters, gum wedges and wind-ups. The company’s manufacturing operations are located at its headquarters in Burgkunstadt/Germany and are complemented by distribution and service companies in the US and China. KEF has a global installed base of more than 900 cord cutting systems.
About KTT
KONŠTRUKTA-TireTech is a globally recognized supplier of machinery for tire component preparation located in Trenčín/Slovakia. KTT’s extrusion, cutting and winding equipment has been installed in more than 70 tire factories in 33 countries worldwide. The company’s knowledge results from 25 years’ experience in the tire industry supported by strong manufacturing, research and development activities.