Stiles Takes On Steinemann Belt Sander Business

Grand Rapids, MI—Wood sanding equipment maker Steinemann Technology AG formed a strategic partnership in which Stiles Machinery (IWF Booths 50534 and 5052) takes on sales of the Swiss-based sanding equipment manufacturer, as well as service and support for Steinemann customers in the U.S. and Canada.

Dan Murphy, former president of Steinemann Technology USA, joined Stiles as the regional director for Stiles’ Great Lakes Region, and other Steinemann personnel are joining the Stiles team to ensure service and support continues uninterrupted.

The move by Stiles Machinery follows another sanding-related decision by its German parent company, Homag Group AG, to discontinue in-house development and production of its own wide belt sanding machines. Homag will now carry Heesemann sanders. Stiles Machinery, which was co-founded by Homag and acquired outright in 2014, was already the exclusive seller of Heeseman sanding equipment in the U.S. and Canada.

Steinemann supports wood products manufacturers, as well as the panel manufacturing industry with both engineering concepts for new installations and re-engineering concepts for existing sanding machines. Its U.S. business recently expanded as new panel manufacturing plants have been announced or come online in North America in the past several years.

Steinemann also offers abrasive belts, brushes, and quality control systems for all substrates such as particleboard, MDF, plywood, OSB, laminates, and other materials. Its machines can be tailored to suit individual manufacturing processes and quality requirements.

In the Homag-Heeseman deal (both are based in German) Heesemann will expand its sanding machine portfolio, particularly it says to expand offerings for entry-level machines. Heesemann says it will be drawing on Homag’s expertise for this segment. Homag says it will be working closely with Heeseman on the sales and service network.

The Steinemann agreement brings to Stiles the Swiss firm’s expertise in calibration and sanding in the composite panel industry as well as its presence in the growing cross laminated timber (CLT) and mass timber industry in North America.

“With Stiles as North America’s market leader for solutions in wood processing, we have found the perfect partner for USA and Canada,” says Christof Stürm, CEO of Steinemann Technology. “Due to the excellent after sales service and support, it is obvious that Stiles and Steinemann make the right strategic partnership. We are also excited that with Stiles, we will continue to enhance our product offering in both the CLT and mass timber industry, as well as the composite panel industry.”

“Our ongoing partnerships with our technology providers and customers are why we are able to provide continued opportunities to help grow our industries and customers with the latest technologies and visions,” says Russ Suor, executive vice president of Stiles. “These partnerships have always been an integral part of our success. We are excited to be joining forces with Steinemann and together become an even more essential part of the composite panel, CLT and mass timber industries,”

For more than 50 years, Stiles Machinery has been North America’s industry leader in wood manufacturing solutions. As North America’s largest supplier of quality machinery, Stiles provides a total production solutions approach by also offering equipment integration, project management, financial services, education, service, and parts. Headquartered in Grand Rapid, MI, Stiles also has regional offices in High Point, NC; Bristol, PA; Coppell, TX; and Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

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