Vanderlande — $1 billion Atlanta-based manufacturer of airport baggage handlers and other materials handling movers — announced that it recently purchased Smatec GmbH, a German company that makes pocket sorters and other warehouse automation equipment.
The first Smatec product to be offered by Vanderlande is a modular state-of-the-art sorter that can be used wither as a “Bombay” sorter for single items or a tilt-tray sorter for items such as shoe boxes, according to to a Verlande news release.
The purchase of the German company allows Vanderlande to move into new product lines, according to Govert Hamers, the company’s CEO.
“The acquisition of Smatec fits perfectly within Vanderlande’s business development strategy and supports the ambitious plan to increase our presence in key warehouse automation market segments,” Hamers said. “The Bombay sorter is a good example of the new opportunities that this takeover brings to our impressive and expanding portfolio of integrated systems.
Smatec’s founder and owner, Ralf Schneuing, will continue to lend his knowledge and expertise to Vanderlande as part of the purchase agreement. After the planned introduction of the flat sorter, the company’s research and development activities will be focused on developing products for the fashion market, leading to a complete portfolio of hanging sorter solutions.