KRONEN GmbH and Urschel Laboratories Inc., a US-based global leader in industrial cutting equipment for the food processing sector, have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening their respective market positions and driving long-term growth.
Despite their planned collaboration, both companies, rooted in family ownership and steeped in tradition, will continue to operate as fully independent entities.
The partnership signals a significant shift in operational strategy for both firms. Under the terms of the agreement, KRONEN and Urschel will cooperate primarily through a targeted sales alliance in selected markets. Urschel will expand its product portfolio by offering KRONEN’s machines and processing lines in key regions, including the United States, Mexico, and much of Asia, with Vietnam being the sole exception. Outside these territories, KRONEN’s existing network of representatives will continue to serve as the primary point of contact for customers.
While the brands and their respective manufacturing facilities—KRONEN’s in Kehl and Achern, Germany, and Urschel’s in Chesterton, Indiana—will remain distinct and autonomous, the collaboration aims to leverage the complementary strengths of both companies. This includes shared expertise, enhanced customer service, and increased production capabilities.
Leadership at both firms emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership and its long-term potential.
“The partnership represents a milestone in KRONEN’s company history. Such cooperations do not come about every day, and this partnership will strengthen our market position and profile. The increase in orders and sales and the investments made by Urschel in our two production locations in Kehl and Achern will allow us to develop more rapidly. As a result, we will not only be able to expand our production capacities and further strengthen our development of new solutions but can also continue to be a future-proof employer,“ said Stephan Zillgith, Managing Director of KRONEN.
Echoing this sentiment, Alan Major, Chief Sales Officer of Urschel, highlighted the natural alignment between the two firms. ”We are delighted to announce our partnership with KRONEN today. Urschel is proud to be a 100-percent employee-owned company, and our corporate culture is an excellent match for KRONEN as a family company. We can also make the most of a multitude of synergies. The fact that we offer different, complementary solutions means that our product ranges and expertise complement each other perfectly. As a result, we can serve the needs of our customers even better. For us, the cooperation represents a sustainable investment in the future.“
The move underscores a broader industry trend of collaboration between specialized equipment manufacturers seeking to consolidate strengths, expand reach, and enhance competitiveness in a global marketplace increasingly driven by innovation and efficiency.
Find out more at: https://www.kronen.eu/en/