IN FOCUS

SMC has officially begun operations at its new Japan Technical Center (JTC), located in the Kashiwa City of Tokyo’s metropolitan region. The centre becomes SMC’s main global hub for research and development, designed to accelerate innovation and reinforce the company’s technological leadership worldwide.

The Wilo Group has opened the new Health Cube at its headquarters, Wilopark in Dortmund. At around 5,500 square metres, the health centre offers space for Wilo’s Global Health Management, including occupational health and psychotherapeutic services, social and life counselling, the Health Club with sports diagnostics and outdoor sports facilities, a “quiet room”, hydro massage beds, a lounge with an open, experiential kitchen, and holiday care for children.

Valmet is planning changes to its manufacturing in Sweden and Poland and has initiated change negotiations in its Global Supply unit concerning the planned closure of manufacturing at its Sundsvall site in Sweden. In addition, Valmet starts negotiations about proposed changes to its Global Supply unit’s operations in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Jelenia Góra, Poland.

EKKI Group, together with Germany-based HOMA Pumpenfabrik, has expanded their joint-venture manufacturing facility EKKI HOMA, strengthening the production of advanced sewage pumping solutions in Coimbatore, India. The expansion was recently inaugurated by N. K. Ranganath, Chief Advisor of EKKI HOMA, along with Hans Hoffmann, Marcel Hoffmann, Arumugam P, and Kanishka Arumugam, Directors of EKKI HOMA.

ViscoTec has reached another strategic milestone in its global expansion: On January 23, 2026, the company acquired its long-standing sales partner MEI Representaciones, based in Querétaro, Mexico, thereby establishing the new ViscoTec Mexico branch.

Busch Vacuum Solutions USA proudly celebrated a major milestone – 50 years of business in the United States – with a Grand Reopening and VIP Open House at its Virginia Beach headquarters. The event brought together employees, customers, community partners, and dignitaries to commemorate a half-century of innovation, growth, and partnership.

Lubbock, Texas-based SIMFLO announced significant operational advancements, including major upgrades to its Arizona pump testing facility, the opening of a new quality control center in Lubbock, and the launch of a new corporate website. These initiatives are designed to enhance product quality, improve customer service, and support the company’s strategic growth.

The Endress+Hauser Group has opened a new development and production building for liquid analysis at its Waldheim site in Saxony, Germany. The family-owned company has had a presence in Waldheim since 1990 and has steadily grown its operations there over the years. This latest expansion signals the company’s commitment to the region and enables further growth.

The Endress+Hauser Group has opened a new development and production center for temperature measurement and system products at its Nesselwang site in southern Germany’s Allgäu region. The new addition further solidifies the family-owned company’s commitment to the region and expands its global network.

Busch Vacuum Solutions, part of the Busch Group, proudly celebrated the grand opening of its newest U.S. facility: a nearly 60,000-square-foot Arizona Service Center located in Tempe. The event marked a major milestone in the ongoing expansion of Busch across North America and underscored the company’s commitment to innovation, customer service, and regional growth.