ITALY- European packaging companies Schur Flexible Group and Berlin Packaging have made new acquisitions in Italy to strengthen their market positions and offer more options for customers.
Schur Flexibles Group which produces flexible packaging at 22 facilities located across 11 European countries has acquired packaging specialist Sidac for an undisclosed sum.
The company is expected to leverage Sidac’s production plant in Forli, near Bologna, and its portfolio of packaging solutions to expand its network in the Italian market.
Sidac’s portfolio primarily consists of complex laminates supplied on reels, which are used for ready-to-eat convenience food.
Last year, the italian company with a work force of 120 employees recorded annual revenues of approximately €34 million.
Commenting on the acquisition, CEO of Schur Flexibles Group, Michael Schernthaner, “In Sidac, we have gained an established partner for our regional expansion in Italy. In this case, we can perfectly complement our competencies in the field of flexible packaging solutions in the food industry.”
Berlin Packaging strengthens portfolio with Italian firm Glass Line
For Berlin Packaging, the acquisition involves an Italian company known as Glass Line. The company says the acquisition will strengthen its Italian operations and forms part of its European expansion
Based in Savona, Glass Line is a manufacturer of glass and metal packaging for the food and beverage end-markets.
The company is a family-run business, with an established presence across northwest Italy including two warehouses in Liguria.
Its acquisitions marks Berlin Packaging’s thirteenth acquisition in Europe since 2016 and comes after the purchase of Sodis-Uhart and Audoubert, manufacturers of glass and metal packaging in France.
As part of the agreement, all Glass Line employees and locations will be retained, while its leadership will remain in the same capacity.
Altopack’s packaging robotics
Still in Italy, packaging company Altopack has teamed up with Halodi Robotics to co-develop a robot which can refill consumables such as plastic and carboard for packaging machines.
Halodi Robotics is an experienced robotics company and has developed a humanoid robot that performs pre-programmed tasks using artificial intelligence (AI).
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will work closely together to develop and adapt the packing robot’s software. According to the companies, the Altopack Packaging Robot will be ready for delivery in 2023.
Altopack designs, develops and supplies automated systems for packaging foods such as pasta, rice and frozen goods. The Italian firm highlights that the robots can be remotely controlled to service machines.
“Our customers have always seen Altopack as a leader in utilising state-of-the-art technology in our solutions. By entering into collaboration with Halodi Robotics, we are taking a giant leap forward in ensuring our competitive advantage,” said Giuseppe Vezzani, managing director of Altopack.
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