Shibaura Machine, a Japanese company specializing in injection molding machinery and automation solutions, has announced the signing of the definitive agreement for the acquisition of LWB Steinl, a long-established German manufacturer of vertical injection molding machines for rubber and plastics. The transaction, which follows the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, will make LWB a wholly owned subsidiary through Shibaura Machine EMEA GmbH under its new name Shibaura Machine LWB.
The acquisition aligns with the company’s Medium-term Management Plan 2026, which aims to strengthen Shibaura Machine’s industrial and commercial presence in Europe. With subsidiaries already active in Italy and Germany, the group intends to consolidate its position in one of the world’s key markets for plastics and rubber processing.
Georg Holzinger
“Our strong presence in America and the Asia-Pacific region forms the basis of our strategic expansion. Europe, and particularly Germany, plays a key role in our growth. To achieve our strategy, we specifically sought a German partner who shared 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 define our Japanese corporate culture: trust, appreciation and loyalty,” said Georg Holzinger, Managing Executive Officer of Shibaura Machine and future CEO and President of Shibaura Machine LWB.
“The new company will operate from a position of strength, focusing on workforce stability and long-term growth. We will be able to offer plastics processors and injection molders sustainable added value: first-class technology and system expertise for fully automated production cells, in-depth knowledge of processes and applications and a strong and loyal customer-service orientation. The Shibaura Machine and LWB brands will remain unchanged, employment contracts will be maintained and no job cuts or relocations are planned. On the contrary, we are deliberately relying on the high level of expertise and experience of our employees in Altdorf to continue serving customers with the quality and precision that, as a Japanese machine manufacturer, we consider essential,” Holzinger added.
The LWB production site in Altdorf will become the group’s European headquarters and manufacturing hub, retaining all employees and ensuring operational continuity. The integration of LWB’s technical expertise, specialized in modular machines for rubber, silicone and elastomers, will allow Shibaura Machine to expand its product portfolio, adding vertical presses and advanced automation solutions alongside its existing electric and hydraulic models.
The operation generates significant synergies. Shibaura Machine’s global production network in Japan, China and India will provide cost advantages and access to high-performance components, while LWB will reinforce the company’s market presence in Europe. Together, the two entities aim to strengthen their capabilities in developing fully automated production cells, integrating robotics, automation and European digital standards such as OPC UA and Euromap 77/82.
www.shibaura-machine.com
Shibaura Machine at K 2025: Technologies Presented
At K 2025, Shibaura Machine focused on increasingly efficient, automated and connected injection molding systems, presenting both new machines and digital process-management tools.
All-Electric EC-SXIII
The new generation of all-electric presses was showcased through an automated cell dedicated to producing rPET business card holders. The EC-SXIII platform introduces improvements in kinematics, axis control and energy consumption. The cell integrated handling robotics, in-line logo printing and continuous monitoring via machiNetCloud, demonstrating a fully tracked production flow, from injection to part removal.
Hydraulic S-GenXt
On the hydraulic front, the S-GenXt 180-7A highlighted the evolution of traditional hydraulic machines toward more efficient systems. The demonstration featured the production of PP containers using IML technology, combining an India-built mold with peripherals designed for precise control of injection and cooling parameters. The S-GenXt series introduces optimized pump management, reducing energy peaks and improving cycle stability.
Digitalization: machiNetCloud and LEO
The updated machiNetCloud platform was one of the central technical highlights. The system enables remote monitoring, consumption analysis, detection of process deviations and predictive maintenance based on historical trends.
Also introduced was LEO (Line Efficiency Optimizer), an AI-based module that continuously analyzes machine and cell data, identifies potential issues before they cause downtime and suggests operational actions to increase productivity.