Sipa acquires Automa PET bottle production activities

Italy-based packaging equipment maker Sipa SpA has purchased all activities related to production of injection-stretch-blow molding (ISBM) equipment at Automa SpA, another Italian company that services the PET packaging sector.

According to Sipa, the acquisition will enable it to extend its existing offering in single-stage ISBM systems, and boost its position in the market for equipment producing specialty products, such as containers for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, and spirits.

The terms of the deal have not been announced.

In a statement, Enrico Gribaudo, general manager of SIPA, said the company intends to exploit synergies between SIPA and Automa’s ISBM operation, in three areas in particular: firstly, in packaging development; secondly, in research and development of the ISBM process and containers, which is already a major SIPA strength; and thirdly, in technical support, which SIPA now provides through 18 branch offices and 23 technical assistance centers across the globe, complemented by a hot line covering all products.

Sipa provides the full range of PET container production machines (single stage machines, linear and rotary blowmolders, preform injection and injection-compression machines) as well as complete filling lines. It has production operations in Italy and China. The company’s offering includes preform and bottle design, engineering and industrialization up to the supply of injection and blowing molds for PET machines.

In 2012, Sipa partnered with Vaughan, Ont.-based Athena Automation Ltd., with Sipa managing the sales, service and integration of all Athena PET preform machines on an exclusive worldwide basis.