Austria-based injection moulding machinery company Engel has announced it has acquired manufacturing execution systems (MES) provider T.I.G. (Technische Informationssysteme GmbH).

The company highlights that the acquisition is another step in its Industry 4.0 strategy but has not disclosed a financial figure for the deal.

The companies have been close partners in the past, says Engel, and T.I.G will be managed as an independent subsidiary. Engel states that the two MES solutions, e-factory by Engel and authentig by T.I.G., will continue to be offered independently as stand-alone solutions and both will continue to be developed.

Dr. Peter Neumann, CEO of the Engel Group said: "E-factory is an essential component of our inject 4.0 program, with which we support our customers in the digitalisation of their manufacturing processes. This is why our investment in T.I.G. is strategically significant. Together, we can respond in an even more targeted fashion to the often very individualised requirements of our customers, thereby adding greater value for the customer, and strengthening the competitive ability of both companies."

Dr. Stefan Engleder, Engel's Chief Technical Officer said: "We have ambitious plans together. The digitalisation of manufacturing processes in the plastics industry is rapidly gaining in importance. I am looking forward to even more intense collaboration with the T.I.G. team."

In the 2015/2016 financial year Engel saw sales of more than €1.25bn and the company currently employs more than 5,400 people worldwide.