NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI-Hexagon AB of Sweden, parent company of Brown & Sharpe Inc. (North Kingstown, RI), has purchased the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) business of Sheffield Automation LLC (Fond du Lac, WI).

Sheffield Automation, manufacturers of Cordax brand CMMs, was formerly a division of Giddings & Lewis, a subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp MetalCutting Group.

The new company will be named Sheffield Measurement Inc. and its headquarters will remain in Fond du Lac. It will be operated as a separate business unit reporting to Hexagon Metrology North America (North Kingstown, RI).

Bill Gruber, president and CEO of Hexagon Metrology North America, says, "The Sheffield brand has been a leader in providing advanced automated metrology solutions to customers since 1965. This is a key milestone in the Hexagon Metrology strategy to develop a strong organization that is both technically and commercially dedicated to excellence in the field of metrology."

Douglas B. Vonderhaar, formerly vice president and general manager of Sheffield Automation, has been named general manager of Sheffield Measurement Inc. Vonderhaar says that the acquisition will help Sheffield grow internationally. "Hexagon has made a number of strategic acquisitions in the past several years, and we feel that Hexagon is a best-fit parent for the Sheffield business," he says. "Our strategy is growth-oriented and we are excited about the opportunities that this acquisition will enable. Combined with Hexagon's resources, we look forward to a bright future for our employees, customers and channel partners throughout the world."

In addition to Brown & Sharpe and Sheffield Measurement Inc., Hexagon Metrology also owns the Italy-based DEA, and German-based Leitz. General administration for all these businesses in North America, as well as those of TESA hand tools and WAI software, will be headquartered in a new facility being built in Keifer Park, located in the Quonset Point Development Park in North Kingstown.