Rapid Granulator buys China’s Avian Machinery

Swedish-based Rapid Granulator AB has acquired Avian Machinery, a Shanghai-based manufacturer of granulators and recycling systems.

The announcement was made at the NPE2009 trade show in Chicago.

“The new investment represents a significant step forward in Rapid’s Asian capabilities, and we are tremendously excited about the potential it offers,” said Rolf Gren, Rapid’s president and CEO.

Privately-owned Avian is the second largest Asian manufacturer of granulators and equipment for post-industrial and post-consumer recycling markets.

As part of the agreement, Rapid will relocate its operations in China to Avian’s 50,000 square metre facility in Shanghai. The Avian plant is almost 17 times larger than the plant in Shanghai that Rapid shares with sister company Conair Group. That plant will be shut down over the next six months.

Gren said that Avian will remain an independent brand with its own distribution network, and that general manager Mark Miao and the rest of the management team will remain in place.

The manufacturing transition in China will start in July and be complete by the end of the year, Gren said.

Rapid’s U.S. opearations are headquartered in Franklin, Penn.