Manchester, NH – The Schleuniger Group, based in Thun, Switzerland, a worldwide leading supplier of wire processing machines, has acquired PAWO Systems AG, headquartered in Unterägeri, Switzerland. PAWO has a staff of about 100 employees with sales of 25 mio CHF. For PAWO, this step means an early succession for the current ownership. For Schleuniger, it is a strategic development which will further enhance their position in the market.

The purchase price will not be disclosed.

The formal closing is scheduled for July 1, 2008. Like Schleuniger, PAWO develops and produces precision, niche oriented machines for the global wire processing market. PAWO specializes in machines for the automatic assembly of loose parts to wires, especially automatic and semi automatic installation of weather seals. This kind of technology is used traditionally by the automotive industry. However, many new industries are now considering seal applications for general purpose applications in order to prevent the intrusion of splash water and humidity into connectors. Through this specialization, PAWO is acknowledged as a leading global provider of such products. In addition, PAWO offers shuttle and conventional transfer-machines used to solve complex wire processing, assembly and quality testing. In the wire processing industry, PAWO has an excellent reputation and is known for its high-quality products and solving complex problems for the global wire harness manufacturers.

PAWO also owns 100% of PAWO Inc. in El Paso, Texas, which already resides in the same building as Schleuniger’s El Paso office. Both offices are responsible for sales and service to Mexico as well as Central America. Together, the combined location will offer a much larger sales and service network while providing the most innovative wire processing expertise and products in the market.