DN Solutions and HELLER: A United Vision for U.S. Manufacturing Renewal

Key Takeaways

• DN Solutions’ pending acquisition of HELLER pairs DN’s 400-plus-model portfolio with HELLER’s 130-year record in German engineering.
• Reshoring investment is accelerating, creating demand for advanced machining, automation, and local technical support.
• North American expansion includes DN Solutions’ Chicago and Querétaro Technical Centers, along with HELLER’s Troy, Michigan operations.
• Vision 2032, DN’s long-term roadmap, emphasizes automation, digitalization and customer-driven productivity improvements.
• Continuity for HELLER users: DN says existing contracts, service capabilities, and operations will continue under DN ownership.

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As U.S. manufacturers continue to invest in domestic production, DN Solutions is deepening its commitment to the North American market. With more than 300,000 machine installations worldwide and a broad CNC machine portfolio, the company is expanding its regional support network and preparing to welcome HELLER into the organization. In each case, the goal is straightforward and deliberate: to provide stronger local service, broader technology options and long-term support customers can count on.

The upcoming acquisition of HELLER is central to that expansion effort. The German builder has a 130-year reputation for precision and productive machining and a strong customer base in the United States, including manufacturing and service operations in Troy, Michigan. DN Solutions says it intends to keep that identity intact while adding scale, resources and additional technology options. The company’s new technical centers in Chicago and Querétaro, Mexico, are also designed to provide closer application support, training and testing capabilities across the region. These moves are guided by DN Solutions’ Vision 2032 roadmap, which focuses on technology leadership, digitalization and strong regional support networks.

In this exclusive interview, DN Solutions Global CEO WJ Kim discusses the state of U.S. manufacturing, the motivation behind the HELLER acquisition and what current HELLER customers in the U.S. can expect going forward.

Where U.S. Manufacturing Stands Today

MMS: What is your view on the current state of U.S. manufacturing?

WJ KIM: The U.S. was the global manufacturing powerhouse for decades. Industries like auto, aerospace, and metalworking flourished, and ‘Made in USA’ was the gold standard for quality and trust. While outsourcing certainly thinned the sector, it’s now clearly in an upswing. This is fueled by reshoring and massive capital investment. In this environment, machine tools are non-negotiable — they are the essential foundation that builds manufacturing competitiveness.

MMS: How do you assess the recent U.S. policy push for reshoring?

WJ KIM: This is much more than policy; it’s a fundamental structural shift driven by supply chain de-risking and the race for technological advantage. We’re seeing colossal investments targeting strategic sectors — semiconductors, batteries, and dual-use. Manufacturing is the most potent engine for restoring U.S. economic strength, and machine tools provide the platform for that recovery. With volatility in raw materials and logistics, the imperative to drive down operational costs — through energy efficiency, extended tool life, and streamlined maintenance — has never been greater.

MMS: Why are machine tools so crucial to the manufacturing renaissance?

WJ KIM: Processing capability is the absolute starting point for every industry. Semiconductors demand nanometer precision; aerospace needs to handle advanced composites and high-strength alloys; dual-use requires stable, reliable and high-volume production; and the EV/battery sector is hyper-focused on lightweighting and cost-efficiency. Without state-of-the-art machine tools and automation, the promise of reshoring will remain unfulfilled.

Faced with severe skilled labor shortages and relentless cost pressures, automation isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s the default operating mode. We’re focusing on maximizing unattended runtime and lowering unit labor costs at the customer’s production site by integrating robotics, pallet systems, and advanced software. Beyond that, an intuitive HMI, standardized workflows, and reliable remote support are essential. The next frontier is data-driven manufacturing AI — predictive maintenance, process optimization, and anomaly detection — which directly boosts yields and equipment OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

DN Solutions’ Global Vision and Investment

MMS: What preparations have you made under your Vision 2032?

WJ KIM: Since our founding in 1976, our cumulative global installations have exceeded 300,000 units. The last three years show our commitment: we’ve stabilized our German R&D center, broken ground on a factory in India, and opened our Chicago Tech Center. We’ve intentionally diversified our customer base beyond auto and semi, growing our presence in aerospace and dual-use. We’ve successfully transitioned from being just an equipment supplier to a true solution partner driving productivity breakthroughs.

MMS: Could you elaborate on your current investment status in the U.S. market?

WJ KIM: We opened the Chicago Tech Center in 2024 to directly support customer application testing and R&D. In August, we executed the Share Purchase Agreement for HELLER, which we anticipate closing early next year. To ensure robust support across North America, we’re opening the Querétaro Tech Center in Mexico on November 3rd and 4th. Our guiding principle is that “Local teams understand the local market best,” which is why our U.S. subsidiary is led by Daniel Medrea. We currently employ approximately 100 people in the U.S. Once the HELLER acquisition is finalized, we expect employment to scale up to several hundred, including the Troy facility.

MMS: What is your strategy for engaging with Key Accounts (large corporate customers)?

WJ KIM: Leading companies demand the highest level of solutions. Most of our U.S. Key Accounts are global industry pioneers. We operate under the philosophy of “proposing solutions before the requirement is even stated.” We deploy dedicated KA Teams to provide comprehensive solutions that integrate standardization, automation, and quality management. Post-acquisition, the addition of HELLER’s experience with complex turnkey projects and global customer service will enable us to improve our high service levels even more.

The HELLER Acquisition and Integration

MMS: What is the significance of the HELLER acquisition?

WJ KIM: HELLER is a renowned brand with a 130-year legacy. Critically, they have production bases in Germany, the UK, Brazil, China, and, most importantly for this market, Troy, Michigan. This allows DN Solutions to significantly enhance our local production and service responsiveness here in the U.S. The fusion of HELLER’s deep tradition and our operational agility will create significant new value. HELLER’s proven expertise, service infrastructure, and established track record in automotive, aerospace, and dual-use will also be invaluable in accelerating our product and service evolution. Note: The HELLER acquisition is pending final regulatory approval and closing.

MMS: What is the strategic rationale behind the HELLER acquisition, especially for the North American market?

WJ KIM: Please understand that my comments are limited at this stage as the acquisition is still subject to regulatory approval. 

This acquisition rests on three pillars: Technology, Global Footprint, and Service.

Our strategy is straightforward — to combine DN Solutions’ scale, digital automation, and solution expertise with HELLER’s world-class 4 and 5 axis horizontal competence and technology knowledge to enhance customer productivity.

HELLER’s strengths in Siemens controls make it exceptionally well-suited for the high-mix, high-precision demands of the aerospace, semiconductor, and energy industries. Equally important, its U.S. Troy facility directly supports the reshoring movement driven by the CHIPS Act and IRA, reinforcing local manufacturing resilience across key markets.

Together, we will deliver a complete portfolio — from FMS cells to advanced 5-axis and mill-turn solutions — perfectly aligned with North America’s key priorities in reshoring, EV retooling, and aerospace recovery.

Ultimately, our goal is to address shared industry challenges such as the skilled labor shortage and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization, empowering our customers to achieve greater efficiency and competitiveness.

MMS: What changes will HELLER customers in the U.S. see?

WJ KIM: There will be zero disruption after the acquisition has been approved. Existing contracts, warranties and service agreements will be honored. Customers can expect the same seamless experience. HELLER’s 130-year technical heritage and operational stability will be enhanced by combining with DN Solutions, ensuring long-term sustainability. Furthermore, customers will gain access to DN Solutions’ comprehensive portfolio of over 400 machine models, allowing us to address a much wider range of needs.

MMS: The HELLER brand is synonymous with German engineering heritage. How will DN Solutions preserve that identity?

WJ KIM: Simply put, HELLER remains HELLER. The 130-year legacy of precision and reliability is precisely why we pursued this acquisition. Our role is not to replace it, but to protect and propel that heritage forward. We have deep respect for HELLER’s engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities. We will maintain the HELLER brand, identity, and DNA, while reinforcing the shared values that put technology, customers, and employees first. 

MMS: What is our direct message to HELLER’s customers in the United States?

WJ KIM: After the acquisition has been approved, your operations and support are expected to continue seamlessly. All existing contracts, warranties, and services will remain fully honored. You’ll continue to work with the same people, the same application teams, and the same service infrastructure. Under the full backing of DN Solutions, new contracts will also be fulfilled with the utmost care.

The combination of HELLER’s 130-year technical heritage and operational stability with DN Solutions’ global scale will further strengthen the brand’s sustainability. We are committed to ensuring that HELLER remains a symbol of precision, reliability, and partnership. We will spare no effort to secure the values that matter most to you: uptime stability, service excellence, and supply chain reliability in the evolving manufacturing landscape.

Technology Leadership and Application Focus

MMS: What is the secret to your balanced performance across diverse industries (semiconductors, aerospace, energy)?

WJ KIM: Our success lies in our deep-dive understanding of each industry’s specific processes, allowing us to propose highly customized equipment and automation packages.

In semiconductors this year, for example, we launched a dedicated machine combined with robot-based loading/unloading automation for precision quartz ring processing. In high-value sectors like aerospace and medical, where lightweighting and component consolidation are key, additive manufacturing is increasingly relevant. We introduced our PBF (Powder Bed Fusion) additive machine, the ‘DLX Series,’ this year and are rapidly advancing our additive-subtractive hybrid technology. This combination of relentless application-specific engineering and platform standardization is the core of our balanced portfolio and our high level of customer satisfaction.

MMS: Focusing on immediate customer benefits, how will the combined product portfolio address North America’s current manufacturing challenges?

WJ KIM: Upon receiving regulatory approval and closing the acquisition, we will ensure that our customers immediately realize the benefits of the DN Solutions–HELLER synergy.

First and foremost, we will work together to address our customers’ key challenges — meeting stringent quality requirements, alleviating skilled labor shortages, and achieving ambitious utilization targets. Our expanded portfolio spans the full spectrum — from flexible manufacturing system (FMS) cells to advanced 5-axis and mill-turn solutions — capturing the strong momentum of the 2025 North American market, particularly in reshoring, EV retooling, and aerospace recovery. Ultimately, the integration of our two companies offers customers a broader and more powerful range of production solutions.

MMS: What is the role of the Querétaro Tech Center in Mexico?

WJ KIM: Querétaro is the strategic manufacturing center of the Bajío region and a key node in the North American auto and aerospace supply chain. Our 1,153 square meter Tech Center will feature our core machines — SMX/DNX (multitasking), DVF (5-axis), and RPS (automation) — to conduct real-world testing, technical seminars, and provide parts/service, maximizing customer value. Supply chain resilience is paramount, making localized sourcing, short lead times, and regional networks connecting the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America critical competitive advantages. After the acquisition closes, we plan to integrate the Querétaro Tech Center with HELLER’s Brazil facility to form a powerful support system across all of Latin America.