Kronen forms sales partnership with US equipment manufacturer

Food technology manufacturer Kronen and industrial cutting machines and milling equipment company Urschel Laboratories are forming a sales partnership to strengthen their market positions. 

The companies will remain independent, with separate production facilities, according to a news release. Kronen is headquartered in Kehl, Germany and Urschel in Chesterton, Indiana. 

The agreement includes a sales partnership in specifically defined countries and regions, according to the release. Urschel will sell Kronen machines and processing lines in Mexico, the U.S. and Asia, with the exception of Vietnam, where Kronen’s sales activities will remain with existing company representatives. 

The sales cooperation will begin in the U.S. and Mexico in July, with Kronen’s sales activities in Asia transferring to Urschel in 2026, according to the release. 

Urshcel will display Kronen products in its U.S. showroom 

“Our cooperation with Urschel and other partners such as iWEIGH puts us in an even better position to offer our customers large-scale lines and complete solutions from a single source,” Stephan Zillgith, Kronen managing director, said. “We want to work with Urschel to become the market leader for innovative new solutions for the fresh-cut industry in Mexico, the U.S. and Asia.”

In return for an undisclosed financial contribution, Urschel will receive a minority stake in Kronen GmbH, according to the release. Employee-owned since 2016, Urschel will make additional investments in Kronen locations in Kehl and Achern, Germany. 

Kronen will not receive any shares in Urschel, according to the release. 

”We are delighted to announce our partnership with KRONEN,” Alan Major, a member of Urschel’s board, said. “Urschel is proud to be a 100% employee-owned company, and our corporate culture is an excellent match for KRONEN as a family company. 

“The fact that we offer different, complementary solutions means that our product ranges and expertise complement each other perfectly. As a result, we can serve the needs of our customers even better.”