The Kistler Group took over MSC Automotive GmbH based in Schwieberdingen, Germany, in an all-stock transaction on 1 January 2009. MSC, whose products and services round off the existing range of the Business Unit Vehicles perfectly, is being fully integrated into the group.

MSC Automotive GmbH was established in 1996 and has a workforce of 54. MSC is a leading provider of systems for crash dummy instrumentation and develops and produces the associated force sensors and accelerometers. A second business unit (Service and Measurement Technology) carries out custom vehicle safety measurements and calibrates sensors and measuring systems, often directly in situ.

The potential of the existing business activities of the Kistler Group, particularly in crash/vehicle safety and services, is further enhanced by the move. In future the MSC products previously sold mainly on the German market will also be distributed internationally in over 30 countries via the wide sales network of the Kistler Group.

As emphasized by Rolf Sonderegger, CEO of the Kistler Group, the acquisition of MSC Automotive GmbH represents an important step in implementing the strategy for realigning the Business Unit Vehicles. "Our customers increasingly want comprehensive turnkey sys-tems and the opportunity to outsource services. The expanded product portfolio allows us to offer solutions from a single source. The takeover also makes it clear that Kistler wants to exploit current opportunities to strengthen the longer-term position of the group."

Friedrich Ast, the founder and previous owner of MSC, sees Kistler as the ideal partner: "In conjunction with Kistler we can greatly increase our market and focus on ongoing product development. It is extremely important to concentrate on our core business, especially in economically difficult times."

The fifth production center of the Kistler Group is being established in Schwieberdingen near Stuttgart. Dr. Thomas Wagner, Head of the Business Unit Vehicles, takes over the management of MSC with immediate effect.

The takeover of MSC increases the Kistler workforce to just under 950. After an excellent 2008 Kistler expects a significant slowdown this year.

Kistler Group

Kistler’s core competence is the development, production and use of sensors for measuring pressure, force, torque and acceleration. Kistler’s know-how and electronic systems can be used to prepare measuring signals for use in analyzing physical processes, controlling and optimizing industrial processes, improving product quality in manufacturing and improving performance in sports and rehabilitation.

Kistler offers a comprehensive range of sensors and systems for engine development, automotive engineering, plastics and metal processing, installation technology and biomechanics.

A worldwide sales presence in the form of 25 group companies and 30 distributors ensures customer proximity, application support on an individual level and short lead times.

With a staff of 950, the Kistler Group is one of the world’s leading providers of dynamic measuring instrumentation. The Kistler Group achieved turnover of 215 million Swiss Francs in the 2008 financial year.