Saurer has acquired 100% of the capital of Fincarde Group a maker of carding equipment for woolen, worsted and nonwovens processes. The company is based in Biella, Italy and has an annual turnover of approximately €13 million. Fincarde will be integrated into the nonwovens technology platform of the Saurer business unit Neumag.
    Saurer has also increased its stake in Autefa automation GmbH from 51% to 60%. Autefa is one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of packing systems and automation solutions for fiber production and processing and is considered a technological leader in  the web forming sector.
    In recent months, Sauer has been aggressively adding to its nonwovens machinery offerings through a number of acquisitions including U.S. spunbond machinist Ason, M&J Fibretech, a Danish supplier of airlaid equipment, German festooner Kortec and needleloom maker Fehrer, based in Austria.
    In other news, Saurer has formed a joint venture with the Chinese Company Jinsheng for the manufacture  of staple fiber equipment. Saurer holds a 70% share in the joint venture with Jinsheng, a Chinese manufacturer of machinery and machine components for staple fiber spinning.