A New Era for HELLER: Innovation Growth and Global Reach

 

HELLER CEO Dr. Thorsten Schmidt says: “The partnership with H.I.G. is a milestone for our company. H.I.G.’s additional financial resources and global network will enable us to more rapidly achieve our strategic goals. Our aim remains clear: to secure and expand our innovation leadership in the market to reach new industries and customers.”

The collaboration marks a significant step forward for the company, unlocking opportunities for innovation, global expansion, and operational efficiency. Together, they will lay a robust foundation for HELLER’s continued growth in a changing industrial landscape.

HELLER and H.I.G. Capital plan to focus on strategic investments in cutting-edge technologies, particularly in digitalisation and automation. By incorporating advanced solutions such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and real-time simulation tools, HELLER aims to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of industrial production for its customers. These developments will be complemented by an expansion of automation to support networked and smart production environments. In addition, HELLER remains committed to sustainability by investing in energy-efficient and resource-saving production technologies, ensuring its machines and processes align with the growing demand for environmentally responsible manufacturing.

The partnership will also enable HELLER to broaden its product portfolio and enter new industrial markets. While continuing to serve established sectors such as mechanical engineering, aerospace, e-mobility, and energy, HELLER plans to integrate additional manufacturing modules and flexible production systems to meet the growing need for customisation and variability in batch sizes. Expanding these capabilities ensures that HELLER stays adaptable to market trends and emerging industry demands.

A significant aspect of this partnership is HELLER’s enhanced ability to strengthen its presence in the global market. Leveraging H.I.G. Capital’s international network, HELLER plans to tap into previously inaccessible regions and industries. This expansion involves growing the company’s sales and service subsidiaries to establish closer proximity to customers in strategically significant areas. In addition, a focus on regional partnerships and joint ventures will allow HELLER to deliver tailored solutions for local market needs. By fostering close collaboration with leading industrial partners, HELLER will further innovate and refine its ability to provide bespoke production solutions.

The partnership will also lead to major improvements in operational efficiency and competitiveness. H.I.G.'s expertise in operational development will help HELLER optimise internal processes, enhancing agility and productivity. Simultaneously, significant investments in modern production methods and the digitalisation of internal workflows will strengthen HELLER's competitive position in the global machine tool industry.

This collaboration represents a pivotal moment for HELLER, not only in terms of advancing its technological capabilities but also in expanding its market presence and refining its operations. By focusing on innovation, sustainability, and responsiveness to global markets, HELLER is poised to navigate the evolving requirements of modern manufacturing while solidifying its role as a leader in the machine tool sector.

Christian Kraul-von Renner, Managing Director of H.I.G. Capital, explains: “HELLER is a technology jewel. We are impressed by the engineering capabilities, the expertise of the workforce and the competence of the management. The company has been around for over 130 years and we are confident that it has a bright future ahead of it. We look forward to working with the Heller family and the management team to realise the full potential of this company. Our goal is to further strengthen HELLER’s role as a global leader in innovation and to expand the success of the company on a sustainable basis.”

 

Nicole Pfleiderer and Marc Heller, representing the fourth generation of the family owners, emphasise: “This partnership allows us to actively shape the company’s transformation while preserving our roots. Together with H.I.G., we are laying the foundations for sustainable growth and success.”