The cooperation agreement between Bystronic glass and HEGLA has been completed and was signed by both parties on 01 June 2012.
After having initially announced the intent of cooperation on 10 January 2012, Bystronic glass and HEGLA are entering a “Preferred Partner” cooperation with immediate effect. The key points of this cooperation were determined within the context of a termsheet in January and February 2012, meaning that a joint and global market cultivation has already been possible.
Long-term cooperation – not a financial interdependency
The cooperation agreement is a long-term plan. The objective of the partnership is the cooperation on the product and market side, in which Bystronic glass and HEGLA will apply and pool their respective core areas of expertise for the architectural glass processing machines. A financial interdependency of both company groups is not included and never formed any part of the negotiations. Bystronic glass supports the sales of HEGLA-branded cutting systems including handling and sorting units. In return, Hegla will support the sales of Bystronic glass-branded machines and units for the production of insulating glass and laminated glass. HEGLA will cease to sell vacuum lifting devices.
Everything from one source
Bystronic glass Manager Richard Jakob, who prepared the contract together with HEGLA Managing Director Manfred Vollbracht, explains: “Thanks to the cooperation with HEGLA, we continue to offer our customers the complete range of services even though we ceased operations in the “architectural glass cutting machines” division in Bützberg, Switzerland.” Manfred Vollbracht expands: “In Bystronic glass, we have found a partner that has had an excellent global sales and service network for many years. As a result, our customers benefit from this partnership twofold as they have the advantage they can obtain everything in the field of machine technology for glass cutting right through to insulating glass and laminated glass production all from one source.”
Global presence
Both the Bystronic glass and HEGLA sales and service network as well as the on-site presence of both partners will be expanded and strengthened by the completion of this cooperation. “We have found a suitable solution for every region in which Bystronic glass and/or HEGLA are already present and we will provide each other with mutual support on-site in the sales and service fields and also equip our foreign subsidiaries and commercial agents with comprehensive product and market information”, explain Richard Jakob and Manfred Vollbracht together. André Brütsch, CEO of Bystronic glass, is looking forward to the future cooperation: “In this cooperation, the partners Bystronic glass and HEGLA are focussing on their respective strengths and are therefore in a position to provide customers with the best machines and ideal service.”