Kollmorgen has bought Semcon which manufactures brushless AC synchronous servo motors under the SMB brand and operates from bases in the Czech Republic and Germany. Semcon will continue to operate independently and is moving into a new, larger manufacturing site in Brno.

Larry Kingsley, Kollmorgen`s European managing director says that the deal has two key attractions: "First, we can offer a Kollmorgen brand motor manufactured in Europe to our rigid specifications, and second, we now have an independent supplier of SMB motors."

Willy Verbrrugghe, president of Kollmorgen`s industrial and commercial group, describes the deal as "a small but strategic acquisition."

"Europe plays a key role in our future," he adds, "and the addition of Semcom gives Kollmorgen an important production capability in the heart of central Europe."