M&As: Krones Prefero brings together solutions; Sacmi sells beverage unit to Omnia

With the acquisition of Swiss injection moulding machine maker Netstal Maschinen at the beginning of the year, German bottling/packaging machine maker Krones Group has been able to offer its customers a solution for every single step in the plastics loop. In addition to injection moulding technology, this also includes the MHT tools required for PET production and the Krones Contiform series for stretch blow molding the bottles. Added to this are competencies in preform and container design, as well as the MetaPure plastics recycling systems and the comprehensive digitalisation solutions.

With Prefero added to its portfolio, Krones says it now completes its overall system for the production, filling and packaging of PET containers. This makes Krones the only supplier that can cover the entire value chain of the PET beverage industry with its own portfolio.

"For Krones, filling and packaging lines are not just made up of many individual machines that are linked together. What counts for us is the interaction of all components to form a single unit. With Prefero, we are now harmonising precisely this line concept with the plastics loop and the associated Krones solutions," explains Jochen Hirdina, Head of Plastics Technology. "This overall solution expertise is also the basis for us to be able to exploit the opportunities of digitalisation," continues Jochen Hirdina.

Netstal will remain independent in the future and offer its portfolio for preforms, closures, packaging technology and medical technology. While Krones with Prefero concentrates on complete PET systems from preforms to filling and packaging, Netstal's injection moulding technology focuses on production systems consisting of injection moulding machines, molds and peripherals," Hirdina continues. At the same time, existing synergies are to be exploited. "In future, for example, Netstal will also benefit from the worldwide Krones set-up and thus be even closer to its customers.“

In other news, Italy’s Sacmi Group announces the sale of its Beverage Business Unit to Omnia Technologies, a global group with Italian roots that provides automation technology and expertise in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Terms were not disclosed

This is part of an operation that, within the wider Omnia strategy, aims to create one of the world’s largest beverage packaging operators.

The main driver behind this operation is the portfolio of products and skills brought by Sacmi Beverage: these are complementary to and synergistic with the development plans of Omnia Technologies, which initiated an expansion strategy within this sector some time ago.

Sacmi Beverage has consolidated expertise in the stretch-blowing, filling and labelling processes for products such as mineral water, carbonated soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits. It enjoys a solid reputation and has seen its revenues grow steadily in recent years. Such capabilities therefore match those of Omnia Technologies and are strategically vital to the actuation of their growth plan.

Sacmi has been a key player in the business since 2000 when it established labelling; subsequent development of filling and stretch-blow moulding operations made Sacmi a global player in the design and sale of complete beverage plants.

Since entering the sector, the group has invested heavily in the business’s growth via a policy of strategic takeovers, consolidation, product range expansion and technological improvement.

It adds that business performance has been highly positive over the last few years.

SUBSCRIBE to Get the Latest Updates from PRA    Click Here»