VAP in Mettmach: New Partner, New Products
In 2012, WINTERSTEIGER brought on board the automation specialist VAP Gruber Automations GmbH from Mettmach. Founded in 2003 by Josef Gruber, the company develops automation solutions for the wood, metal, and plastics industries.
First, the wood is sawed; then, it is repaired
WINTERSTEIGER has always been particularly interested in the fully automatic wood surface repair systems developed by VAP. These “timber cosmetics” are used to repair knotholes and cracks in parquet strips, solid wood flooring, and multilayer boards. These plants perfectly complement WINTERSTEIGER’s thin-cutting sawing machines: After the wooden blocks have been cut, they fill the defects with a special filling material. With the so-called TRC Woodpatch, even panels such as formwork boards can be repaired using patches or stubs produced on the spot from the wood’s own strips during the process. The “brain” of the plant is the 3D scanner: It first scans the surface, precisely calculates the amount of filling material needed for the defect, and transmits the data very precisely and in a matter of seconds to the injection unit.
In 2021, Josef Gruber left the company, and VAP Gruber Automations GmbH became VAP-WINTERSTEIGER GmbH. In addition to wood repair, the company offers automation solutions for window, parquet, furniture, and panel manufacturing, as well as for large sawmills—ranging from feasibility studies to remote maintenance of the entire plant. This also includes specialized tasks such as transport systems, ultrasonic testing equipment, rough machining of cast parts, palletizing, heat treatment, packaging, and part marking and traceability.
*1 As of October 1, 2025, the two companies WINTERSTEIGER Woodtech GmbH and VAP-WINTERSTEIGER GmbH merged to form the new WINTERSTEIGER Solutions GmbH.