The Ceratizit Group will invest in a 50 percent share of tool manufacturer Günther Wirth, according to Ceratizit.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

“With this acquisition, we will be able to cover the whole value chain in hard metal production—from powder, to tool blanks to custom-made and coated round tools such as drills and end mills,” said Jacques Lanners, executive board member of tool manufacturer Ceratizit.

Jacques Lanners

Eventually, Günther Wirth, Balzheim, Germany, will be incorporated into the Ceratizit Group, Mamer, Luxembourg, as a global business unit, and Günther Wirth will remain as a brand.

“The GW brand is superbly positioned in the case of end users and dealers in Europe and in the USA and India. As a part of the Ceratizit Group we want to develop this offering worldwide,” said Günther Wirth, GW’s founder.

Günther Wirth

Ceratizit and Günther Wirth have worked closely together for many years, including manufacturing blanks and finished tools, according to Ceratizit.