Shibaura: Expansion into European market

Japanese machine manufacturer Shibaura Machine’s presence at K 2025 was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire 80% of the shares in LWB Steinl GmbH. By combining their expertise in injection moulding machines and automation, both partners aim to strengthen their technology and system competencies for fully automated production cells. To this end, the mechanical engineering and automation divisions are separated from the Steinl Group and integrated into the partnership. Their sales networks also complement each other: Shibaura Machine will gain access to LWB’s European customer base, while LWB will benefit from Shibaura Machine’s established network in Asia and the United States. This expanded market access is expected to lay a foundation for long-term growth.

Dr. Georg Holzinger, Managing Executive Officer, Shibaura Machine

Dr. Georg Holzinger, Managing Executive Officer of Shibaura Machine and future CEO and President of Shibaura Machine LWB GmbH said: “Our strong footprint in America and the Asia-Pacific region forms the foundation for our strategic expansion. Europe, especially Germany, plays a key role in our growth. To fulfill our strategy, we specifically sought out a German partner who shares our standards of precision and quality. We identified this partner in LWB Steinl. As a family-owned company, LWB Steinl embodies the values that also shape our Japanese corporate culture: trust, appreciation, and loyalty."  

To underline the significance of its majority stake, Shibaura Machine exhibited an automated production cell consisting of an LWB vertical injection moulding machine and an industrial robot from The SCARA series at K 2025. It also presented its next-generation injection moulding innovations: the EC-SXIII All-Electric series and the S-GenXt Hydraulic series. Featuring advanced processing capabilities, these machines set new benchmarks for performance and precision in plastics manufacturing.