Since 1 January 1998, the former Mannesmann Demag Kunststofftechnik (MDKT; HQ: D-90571 Schwaig) has been operating as Demag Ergotech GmbH in Schwaig and as Demag Ergotech Wiehe GmbH (D-06571 Wiehe) in Wiehe. This name change forms part of the reorganisation of the plastics machinery activities of Mannesmann Demag AG and Krauss Maffei AG. As announced, the two companies have spun off their plastics machinery divisions and pooled them in the new Mannesmann management company, Mannesmann Plastics Machinery AG. In the current circular to customers, Wolfgang von Schroeter, managing director of Demag Ergotech, explains that "the familiar, successful Mannesmann Demag Kunststofftechnik is now an equal-ranking partner in the new manufacturer grouping. Through its conversion to a limited liability company (GmbH) it has become a legal entity in its own right. Our new company name stands for recognition of the Ergotech series and for market success."