Barry-Wehmiller has announced the acquisition of the assets and business of the changeparts division of Perplas, a leading UK-based manufacturer of plastics for the food, beverage and personal care markets.
The Perplas changeparts business will be integrated with Zepf's existing changeparts manufacturing facilities in St Albans in the UK and Tampa, Florida, in the US.
Zepf, a Barry-Wehmiller company specialising in the manufacture of changeparts for OEM equipment as well as the production of advanced shrinkwrapping and case packing machinery, will enhance its changeparts capabilities and broaden its European customer base as a result of this acquisition. Terms remain undisclosed.
Perplas is one of the largest suppliers of changeparts in the UK. The US-based Barry-Wehmiller group claims that the acquisition will broaden its engineering knowledge and the experience of the Perplas changeparts group will enhance its changeparts capabilities while offering a broader range of products and services to both OEM's and end users.
"Augmenting our changeparts technology and European market coverage is a core focus, and this acquisition will accelerate the achievement of our strategic goals," said Frank J Zepf, president of Zepf.
Completed as of 3 January, the purchase represents the 23rd acquisition in 15 years for Barry- Wehmiller, further strengthening its position in the packaging equipment industry in the European marketplace.
Focused on three platforms for growth - packaging equipment, consulting and corrugated equipment - Barry-Wehmiller Companies has become a leader in these industries, with revenues approaching $430 million (€403.6m).