Anton Paar Acquires CSM Instruments

On November 15, 2013, the purchase contract between Anton Paar GmbH (Austria) and CSM Instruments SA was signed. CSM Instruments SA will continue under the name "CSM Instruments SA | A company of Anton Paar" at the present location in Peseux (Switzerland).

Anton Paar is the world specialists in the field of density and concentration measurement, the determination of dissolved CO2, rheology and the material characterisation of surfaces. Its customers include the largest soft drink and beer manufacturers in the world and companies in the food, chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Established in 1922 as a one-man locksmith's workshop in Graz (Austria), the company has consistently explored new paths and combined research with high-precision manufacturing. Today Anton Paar develops highly accurate laboratory instruments, process measuring instrumentation and custom-tailored automation and robotics solutions for quality control. Around 20 % of the annual turnover is invested in research and development. Anton Paar GmbH, with its headquarters in Graz, Austria, and 20 – now 21 – subsidiaries worldwide, is active in more than 110 countries. Over 1800 people work in the Anton Paar Group. In 2012 the turnover was 190 million Euro. Since 2003 the charitable Santner Foundation is the owner of Anton Paar GmbH. The foundation is exclusively and directly dedicated to charitable and beneficent causes.

Dr. Friedrich Santner, the CEO of Anton Paar GmbH: "We are happy to have successfully concluded the long negotiations. CSM Instruments complements our product portfolio in the field of material characterisation of surfaces. This market is becoming increasingly important and is a focus in our strategic approach for the coming years."

CSM Instruments SA develops, produces and sells laboratory instruments for the characterisation of mechanical properties on material surfaces at the micro- and nano-scales. Its renowned and globally active customers are found, for example, in academic research, the automobile industry, in the field of environmental technology, in life sciences and among tool manufacturers. In 2012 CSM Instruments had a turnover of 12 million Euro and currently counts over 60 employees worldwide.

Jacques Francoise, former General Manager of CSM Instruments: "CSM Instruments is a leader in materials testing equipment at the nano-scale and well-located in the heart of the world-renowned Swiss watch industry, a micromechanics excellence center. A further benefit of the company site in Peseux is its close proximity to universities and research institutes in Neuchâtel. I am proud that an innovative as well as value-oriented high-tech company like Anton Paar has acquired CSM Instruments. Anton Paar, which is known for its strong corporate culture, with an employee-oriented attitude and its excellent product portfolio, will consolidate the future of CSM Instruments in the Neuchâtel area on a long-term basis."