Mitsubishi Electric Acquires ASTES4

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), an established automation systems partner of MC Machinery Systems, Inc. (Elk Grove Village, IL), acquired ASTES4 SA (ASTES4; Balerna, Switzerland), which develops, produces and sells patented automated sorting systems for sheet metal laser processing machines. With ASTES4 as a wholly-owned subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric will offer integrated systems to the global market with ASTES4 automated sorting systems embedded into their high value-added sheet metal laser processing machines. They aim to further expand their worldwide business through this acquisition.

“This acquisition by our global partner is exciting to us because it means our customers now have direct access to a premium sorting system for their laser automation needs,” says Shane Herendeen, the North America sales manager for fabrication at MC Machinery. “Shops of all sizes are requiring more speed and agility to get the job done and sorting can be a bottleneck if you don’t have the right system in place.”

Sheet metal laser processing involves loading the material, laser cutting, unloading cut materials, as well as removing and sorting cut parts from the frame. Lately, the worldwide demand for such sorting systems is on the rise. Mitsubishi Electric’s sheet metal laser processing machine business is developing globally in Japan, the Americas, Europe, China, Southeast Asia and India. The lack of human resources in production facilities and the ability of fiber lasers to produce higher volumes generally escalate the demand for a significant increase in productivity by automating sheet metal laser processing, including pre-and post-processing.

ASTES4 provides flexible automated sorting systems using their own patented technology, with superior system engineering capabilities that can integrate the entire automation system. By acquiring ASTES4, Mitsubishi Electric will support MC Machinery in further strengthening its lineup of automation systems with sorting solutions for sheet metal laser processing machines that will provide users with integrated systems that require less manual loading, unloading and sorting to realize higher productivity and efficiency. “We are looking forward to incorporating premier ASTES4 patented technology with our automation systems sold in North America,” added Herendeen. “Our automation customers already have an advantage and it’s very exciting to be a part of what we feel is the best “next step” in the process.”

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