Packaging venture forms new company
Handling, one of the UK's major suppliers of tray sealing
solutions.
Ishida Europe has announced the acquisition of Qualitech Systems Handling, one of the UK's major suppliers of tray sealing solutions.
Qualitech manufactures a range of products including tray denesters, filling systems and sealing equipment for, amongst others, the food and beverage industries. Its capabilities will enable Ishida Europe to offer a single sourced solution for automated packaging of food products in trays.
The group says it is now capable of supplying a complete solution containing products from in-feed through weighing, filling, checkweighing to end of line case packing systems.
Ishida have traditionally supplied complete packing solutions to a wide range of applications. The addition of the Qualitech equipment range broadens the company's scope of supply.
The acquired company will be known as Ishida Qualitech, and will continue to operate from its current site in Poole, southern England. It will now have access to the whole EMEA market for its products, via Ishida's network of sales companies, distributors and agents.
Qualitech founder and former owner Kevin Witheford has become managing director of Ishida Qualitech. "The two businesses show great synergy. In fact we've worked closely with Ishida on many projects over the years and we are extremely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining the Ishida group of companies," he said.
"Future Ishida Investment in the R&D process will ensure that Ishida Qualitech will be able to focus efforts on new product innovation to meet the ever changing market requirements."
"It's not often you find such a good fit" said Graham Clements, MD of Ishida Europe. "We want to offer our customers new ideas and solutions based on innovative engineering and proven applications experience. The acquisition of Qualitech gives us both of these whilst complementing our existing range."
