Anchor Lamina

What Anchor Lamina does

MDL Anchor Lamina GmbH is a privately held German industrial manufacturer headquartered in Chemnitz that operates two integrated lines of business: contract CNC machining services, and the design and manufacture of tooling components and blanking systems. On the services side the company runs an 18-machine CNC park with large-format capacity (workpieces up to 25 tonnes, travel up to 6,500 x 4,200 x 1,500 mm) covering CNC milling, plane milling, flame cutting up to 300 mm depth at 90° to 45° angles, surface grinding up to 1,600 x 800 mm at Ra 0.2 to Ra 0.5, welded steel fabrication, stress relief annealing for components up to 18 t, and nitrogen gas spring holding-plate assembly with ultrasonic inspection and leakage testing. On the product side the portfolio spans patented blank conveyor devices (magnetic rollers, magnetic belts, vacuum belts), Coil Cut turnkey blanking tools (in production since 2006), die sets, standard toolmaking components (guide elements, cam slides under the LamCam exclusive distribution rights, springs, hydraulic products, in-die tapping units, rotary bending units), adapter plates, clamping devices, stacking units, and accessories.

The legal entity was created by the December 2021 merger of Anchor Lamina GmbH and MDL Deutschland GmbH following the February 2021 acquisition of Anchor Lamina GmbH from Connell Limited Partnership (Boston). Anchor Lamina GmbH traced its history to EOC Normalien Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH (founded June 1991), joined Anchor Lamina Inc. of North America in 1994, was renamed Anchor Lamina GmbH in 2002, and passed through the Anchor Danly Company structure formed by the March 2005 merger of Anchor Lamina Inc. and Danly IEM. Headcount peaked at over 100 employees by 2008 and consolidated to 63 after the 2021 merger. Two facilities operate in Chemnitz (Tuchschererstraße headquarters and the Wiesenmühle production site in OT Grüna). The customer base spans automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers (multiple "Freigaben"), tool and mold makers, mechanical engineering firms, medical technology manufacturers, and printing machine builders, primarily across Germany and the broader European market under the "Made in Germany" positioning.

Revenue mechanics combine project-based CNC contract manufacturing (quote-based pricing, €150 minimum order, 30-day net terms, multishift operations, digital data exchange in DXF, DWG, Catia V5, Step, IGS, Sat) with catalogue sales of standard tooling components and proprietary equipment, billed on a one-time basis to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Go-to-market is direct B2B: an in-house sales team (Olaf Mehlhos for contract manufacturing, Petr Kurka for toolmaking components, Volker P. Zimmerer for blanking tools), an outside sales representative covering Germany, topic-specific website inquiry forms, and trade fair presence at EuroBLECH and Blechexpo. The current Managing Director is Michel Lemouche, who succeeded long-standing MD Wolfgang Neubert on his retirement in April 2012.

Name

Anchor Lamina

Legal name

MDL Anchor Lamina GmbH

Website

https://anchor-lamina.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MDL Anchor Lamina GmbH is a privately held Chemnitz-based German manufacturer offering large-format CNC contract machining and proprietary tooling products (blanking tools, blank conveyors, gas spring systems, standard toolmaking components) to automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, tool and mold makers, and mechanical engineering firms across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Tool Manufacturing & CNC Contract Machining

NAICS

Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (333514)

SIC

Metal Forgings & Stampings (3460)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC), Welding, Fabrication & Field Machining Services (On-site) (IMAIACAD)

Keywords

• CNC contract manufacturing
• Blanking tool manufacture
• Toolmaking components
• Forming technology services
• Heavy CNC machining

Headquarters

HQ city

Chemnitz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CNC Contract Manufacturing (Lohnfertigung): CNC machining services on a job-work basis for customized parts and small series. Customers provide CAD data (DXF, DWG, Catia V5, Step, IGS, Sat formats) and the company manufactures in multi-shift operations. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Standard Toolmaking Components Sales: Sale of standardized tooling components including guide elements, cam slides, in-die tapping units, rotary bending units, springs (ISO Die Max XL, DIEMAX L, JIS springs, gas springs), hydraulic products, die sets, and accessories. Components are sold to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
3. Blanking Tools (Platinenschneidwerkzeuge): Design, manufacture, and supply of complete blanking tools as turnkey solutions, including accessories such as blank conveyors, beading stampers, adapter plates, and stacking systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

MDL Anchor Lamina GmbH provides CNC contract manufacturing (Auftragsfertigung) for customized parts and small series, including large-format CNC milling (up to 25 t workpieces), flame cutting, plane milling, surface grinding, stress relief annealing, and welded steel constructions. The company also designs and manufactures blanking tools (Platinenschneidwerkzeuge) using Coil Cut technology and supplies a broad portfolio of standard toolmaking components (Normalien) such as cam slides, springs, die sets, hydraulic products, and patented blank conveyor devices to automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, tool and mold makers, and mechanical engineering firms across Europe.

Product overview

MDL Anchor Lamina GmbH is a German manufacturing company offering two interconnected service/product lines: (1) Contract Manufacturing Services (CNC Auftragsfertigung) covering CNC milling, flame cutting, plane milling, surface grinding, welding, stress relief annealing, and nitrogen gas spring systems; and (2) a comprehensive Portfolio of Tooling Products including blanking tools (Platinenschneidwerkzeuge) with Coil Cut technology, die sets, standard toolmaking components (normalien), springs, hydraulic products, blank conveyor devices, stacking units, adapter plates, and clamping devices. The company serves the automotive, tool, and mechanical engineering industries from locations in Chemnitz, Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNC Contract Manufacturing / Auftragsfertigung CNC contract manufacturing service providing customized parts and small series production using various machine types including portal, gantry, boring, and bed-type machines. For industrial buyers across automotive, tool and mold making, mechanical engineering, medical technology, and printing machine industries.
• Customized Milling / CNC Fräsen CNC milling service with 18 machining centers with travel ranges up to 6500 x 4200 x 1500 mm, capable of machining workpieces up to 25.0 t weight, including frames, base plates, guide plates, and hydroforming tools.
• Blanking Tools / Platinenschneidwerkzeuge Specialized blanking tools in steel and cast construction for structural and outer body shell parts in steel and aluminum, available as single or multiple catching systems with modular design from 1760 x 1398 to 4000 x 2640 mm. For automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Die Sets / Säulenführungsgestelle Standard die sets produced according to customer specifications with assembly, surface coating, and installation services for guide elements. For tool and press construction buyers.
• Standard Toolmaking Components / Werkzeugbaunormalien Wide range of standard components including cam slides, guide elements, coil and elastomer springs, in-die tapping units, tool lifters, drilling units, and roller bending units (AccuBender). Sold to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, tool and mold makers, and distributors.
• Blank Conveyor Devices / Platinentransporteinheiten Patented conveyor units for blanking tools including magnetic rollers (PRK, PRM series), magnetic belts (MFB series), vacuum belts (VFB series), guide rollers and rails, and beading stampers for aluminum blanks. For automotive blanking tool applications.
• Nitrogen Gas Spring Systems / Stickstoff-Federsysteme Design, calculation, manufacture, and documentation of holding plates for tool and press production according to pressure equipment directive, including ultrasonic inspection and leakage testing. For press manufacturers and tool retrofit applications.
• Flame Cutting / Brennschneiden Modern flame cutting service with maximum cutting depth of 300 mm and cutting angles between 90° and 45° for various steel qualities, slabs, and plates. For industrial manufacturers and tool makers.
• Surface Grinding / Flachschleifen Surface grinding service for component sizes up to 1600 x 800 mm achieving surface qualities between Ra 0.5 and Ra 0.2 for steel and aluminum qualities. For precision component manufacturers.
• Stress Relief Annealing / Spannungsarmglühen Stress relief annealing service in own hearth furnaces for components up to 5400 x 2800 x 1200 mm or 18 t total weight with controlled time-temperature process and optional documentation log. For welded steel construction and machined components.
• Welded Steel Constructions / Stahl-Schweißkonstruktionen Customized fabrications including adapter plates for press beds and rams as well as frames made from structural steel sections for large tools and machine engineering. For press manufacturers and machine builders.
• Springs / Federn Spring products including ISO Die Max XL springs, Lamina DIEMAX L springs, JIS standard springs, gas springs, Formathane elastomers, utility springs, spring pins, and spring units. Sold to OEMs and tool makers.
• Hydraulic Products / Hydraulik Hydraulic solutions including die separators, die setters, drilling units for diameters up to 50 mm, and hydraulic motors. CE-approved products for tool lifting up to 45 t. For industrial press and tool applications.
• Stacking Units / Stapelanlagen Automatic blank destacking and stacking systems including press line direction units (max 5000 kg, 450 mm stack height) and lateral stacking units for structural components. For automotive press lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• CNC machining capacity for workpieces up to 25.0 t and dimensions up to 6500 x 4200 x 1500 mm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MDL Deutschland GmbH (now absorbed into merged entity)coreOthers · 1 February 2021In February 2021, MDL Deutschland GmbH (CLP) acquired Anchor Lamina GmbH from Connell Limited Partnership. In December 2021, the two companies merged to form MDL Anchor Lamina GmbH. MDL Deutschland GmbH is no longer a separate entity post-merger.
• Fraunhofer Institut ChemnitzminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010As a notable special project, MDL Anchor Lamina collaborated with the Fraunhofer Institut Chemnitz to develop and realize a test press (demonstrator) during the post-recession consolidation period of 2010-2011.
• D-M-E Normalien GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2006In June 2006, Anchor Lamina acquired exclusive sales rights for LamCam cam slides (keilschiebers) from D-M-E Normalien GmbH, expanding its standard toolmaking component portfolio.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• D-M-E / Milacron: D-M-E (a Milacron brand) is a global supplier of standard mold bases, components, and hot runner systems for tooling. Historical distributor relationship with Anchor Lamina (LamCam cam slides) makes it both a former supplier relationship and a broad incumbent competitor in the standard toolmaking components category.
• Misumi Corporation: Misumi is a global catalog-based manufacturer and distributor of standard components for machinery, tooling, and automation. While much larger and broader in scope, it competes at the catalog end of MDL Anchor Lamina's Werkzeugbaunormalien business, particularly for standardized die components and tooling accessories.

Direct peers

• Mate Precision Tooling: Mate Precision Tooling is a manufacturer of tooling components, die components, and accessories for stamping and fabricating shops. Comparable to MDL Anchor Lamina as a multi-product tool component supplier serving metal forming OEMs with standardized and custom tooling solutions.
• FIBRO GmbH: FIBRO is a German manufacturer of standard tool components including guide pillars/bushings, springs, gas springs, and cam slides for stamping and forming tools. Directly comparable to MDL Anchor Lamina's Werkzeugbaunormalien portfolio (guide elements, springs, hydraulic products) and addresses the same automotive and toolmaker customer base.
• Dayton Progress Corporation: Dayton Progress is a manufacturer of standard punches, die buttons, and wear parts for metal stamping tooling. Directly comparable to MDL Anchor Lamina's blanking and piercing die components and standard tooling elements for stamping.
• Strack Norma GmbH: Strack Norma is a German manufacturer of standard mould parts, die components, guide elements, and toolmaking accessories. Its product portfolio and German Mittelstand positioning closely mirror MDL Anchor Lamina's toolmaking components business serving stamping and forming OEMs.
• Meusburger Georg GmbH & Co KG: Meusburger is an Austrian/German supplier of standardized mould and die components with a catalog business comparable to MDL Anchor Lamina's standard toolmaking components offering. Serves the same automotive Tier 1 and toolmaker customer base with similar workholding and toolmaking accessory products.
• Hasco Hasenclever GmbH + Co KG: Hasco is a leading German manufacturer of standard mould parts, hot runner systems, and accessories for tool and die making. Directly comparable as a supplier of normalized tool components (guide elements, ejector pins, springs) to European automotive and toolmaker OEMs.
• Hänchen Hydraulik / HEMA - Hänchen GmbH: Hänchen manufactures hydraulic systems, gas springs, and die components for tool and press applications. Directly comparable to MDL Anchor Lamina's hydraulic product line (die separators, drilling units, hydraulic motors) and gas spring systems, serving the same press-tooling end markets.

Others

• Schuler Group (AANDD): Schuler is a global press and automation manufacturer serving automotive body-in-white production. While not a direct peer in toolmaking components, Schuler is a key customer/ecosystem partner for MDL Anchor Lamina's blanking tools, die sets, and Coil Cut tooling integrated into press lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/anchor-lamina-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Anchor Lamina