Star SU and FFG Extend Successful Cooperation


HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL. - Star SU, LLC, based in Illinois, and FFG Werke GmbH, a German machine tool manufacturer, signed a contract extending their partnership for machine tool sales and service in the Americas. Having worked together successfully with FFG’s Modul hobbing machines brand, selling gear manufacturing equipment for more than 20 years, the Star SU portfolio now also covers VDF Boehringer and Hessapp turning machines as well as Hüller Hille machining centers and Witzig Frank multi-way, multi-spindle machines. The partners anticipate substantial synergies based on Star SU’s extensive footprint in the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, and its strong ties into the automotive, tier supplier, energy and other industries, combined with the technological expertise and application knowhow of FFG’s brands in the target industries.



David Goodfellow, CEO of Star SU, expects that his customers in the Americas will benefit substantially from the new portfolio: “In the past, we proved that, together with our German partners, we can deliver the right solution, at the right time and quality, and secure long-term productivity with our highly skilled service team. We have thus become a reliable and innovative partner for the automotive industry, tier suppliers, and other manufacturers across the continent, especially for transmission component applications. I am excited to present this new range of high-end manufacturing technology brands for turning and milling applications to our customers.” As full-range partner, Star SU is able to handle entire projects for FFG products, from the initial request to import, on-site installation and commissioning, including financing and leasing services, all in local currency. Besides manufacturing and engineering capacities for precision tools and machinery, Star SU has 6 service centers in the US, Mexico and Brazil and a total of approx. 500 employees.



The American market is of strategic importance for FFG, says Martin Winterstein, Vice President Sales & Marketing: “Apart from strengthening our service capacities for our installed base in the Americas, we see considerable potential in various industries. Whether it’s automotive and truck components, or applications in the energy, rail, agricultural or engineering sectors, we are sure that Star SU is the right partner to bring our solutions to the growing North and South American markets.” FFG Werke GmbH’s manufacturing base in Germany comprises four manufacturing plants and more than two hundred years of metal cutting knowhow. At the IMTS in Chicago, starting September 8, 2014, Star SU and FFG will present their extended portfolio to the general public.



David Goodfellow

David Goodfellow, President of Star SU, LLC: “I am excited to present this new range of high-end manufacturing technology brands for turning and milling applications from FFG to our customers.



Martin Winterstein

Martin Winterstein, VP Sales & Marketing at FFG Werke GmbH: “We see considerable potential in various industries, and we are sure that Star SU is the right partner to bring our solutions to the growing North and South American markets.”



About Star SU

Star SU is the go-to-market cooperative partnership of Star Cutter Company of Farmington Hills, MI, SU America, Inc. of Hoffman Estates, the US sales and manufacturing unit to Samputensili, S.p.A., and Bourn & Koch Inc. of Rockford, IL. The companies together represent one of the world’s largest gear machine, tool and gear tool manufacturing producers. For more information, visit www.star-su.com



About FFG Werke GmbH

FFG Werke GmbH unites major players from the German machine tool industry with a broad range of turning, milling, and gear manufacturing technology and the knowhow of the renowned machine tool brands VDF Boehringer, Hüller Hille, Hessapp, Honsberg, Modul and Witzig & Frank. For more than 200 years, these brands have substantially contributed to the progress in manufacturing technology and are well known as reliable and innovative equipment suppliers for the automotive and truck, machine building, general machining, railway industry, aerospace, energy and heavy engineering industries.



With more than 700 employees at four manufacturing sites in Germany, and six further locations in Germany, Russia, China and Korea, the company has a global footprint, which is enhanced by a network of strong sales & service partners in all major markets. While being an independent group member, FFG Werke GmbH benefits from the strengths and opportunities of the global Fair Friend Group. The brand FFG Europe stands for premium technology within FFG. Apart from the German brands, it comprises the Italian manufacturers Jobs, Sachman, Rambaudi and Sigma. For more information, visit www.ffg-werke.com  

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