ARBURG acquires Stork IMM

A historic moment: On July 29, 2026, CFO Steffen Kroner and CTO Guido Frohnhaus signed the purchase agreement on behalf of ARBURG, while Philip Stibbe, a shareholder of Stork IMM and founder of Stibbe Participaties, signed on behalf of Stibbe Participaties B.V. Under the terms of this agreement, ARBURG will acquire Stork Plastics Machinery B.V. (Stork IMM), based in Hengelo, the Netherlands, from Stibbe Participaties B.V. With this move, both companies are strengthening their position in the global market for plastic injection molding machines. 

The transaction is taking place against the backdrop of a changing injection molding market, in which volatility, declining volumes, increasing international competition, and economies of scale are playing an increasingly important role.  

Two strong brands united

"With the acquisition of Stork IMM, we are making a strategic, focused, and long-term investment in the future," emphasizes Dr. Volker Nilles, CEO of ARBURG, "and we aim to strengthen ARBURG's position in the global injection molding market. This transaction brings together two strong brands that have been well known in the market for many decades: this is a clear win-win situation for everyone, and especially for our customers." With this strategic investment, ARBURG is sending a clear signal to the global market: "Wir sind da (we're here) – both in good times as well as during challenging ones!" 

A perfect addition to the ARBURG range

Stork IMM is known in the premium segment for its large, high-speed injection molding machines for thin-wall packaging. "The Stork machines are therefore ideally suited to strategically expand ARBURG's range – very quickly, yet with a sustainable and long-term impact – to include machines with clamping forces exceeding 5,000 kN and those designed for the packaging industry," said Nilles. 

Securing the future for Stork IMM

Eric Pans, CEO of Stork IMM, adds: "The acquisition by ARBURG will help strengthen and expand Stork's business activities, including through international sales and service capabilities, a broader product range, synergies in procurement and the supply chain, and further professionalization of processes." Philip Stibbe explains: "In ARBURG, we have found a strategic partner that complements us perfectly and shares our family-oriented values, our long-term focus, and our commitment to manufacturing in Europe. We are convinced that this combination provides an excellent foundation for Stork IMM's continued development and long-term success." 

Finalization in September

By signing the purchase agreement on July 29, 2026, the first official step has now been taken. The transaction is expected to close in around two months.  

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