WALTER Surface Technologies Acquires HERMES North America, Expands Leadership in Coated Abrasives and Automation Solutions!
By Ashutosh Arora
WALTER Surface Technologies has announced the acquisition of HERMES North America, a respected supplier of coated abrasives, marking a strategic move that strengthens WALTER’s position across key finishing, robotic and automation-driven applications. The acquisition is set to ensure long-term stability for HERMES customers and employees while significantly enhancing WALTER’s already extensive abrasive solutions portfolio.
According to Marc-André Aubé, CEO of WALTER Surface Technologies, the acquisition represents a forward-looking investment aligned with growing customer demand for automation and productivity. “This acquisition is a long-term investment in growth and innovation as customers continue to automate their processes,” Aubé stated. He added that integrating HERMES’ strengths — especially in belted abrasive products widely used in automated and robotic finishing — enhances WALTER’s ability to deliver high-performance solutions that help customers work better, faster and more efficiently.
HERMES North America’s expertise and product quality will play a key role in advancing WALTER’s innovation pipeline. Tony Sarles, General Manager of HERMES North America, emphasized that joining WALTER ushers in a new era of stability and opportunity for the company. “With WALTER’s support, we will continue to serve our customers and partners with the same dedication and technical expertise they have come to expect, now backed by a stronger foundation for the future,” he said.
Customers can expect a smooth, disruption-free transition. WALTER plans to rapidly integrate HERMES’ abrasive products into its distribution network, ensuring seamless access to an expanded range of coated abrasives across industries. While HERMES North America becomes part of the WALTER family, the HERMES European Group will continue to operate independently as a trusted global supplier.
Effective immediately, the acquisition reinforces WALTER’s strategic commitment to innovation, product excellence and supporting the evolving needs of manufacturing environments where efficiency, automation and high-performance finishing are increasingly essential.
