Reynolds, Ivex merge to form new packaging supplier
Ivex subsidiaries to create a new company, Reynolds Food Packaging,
with a strong position in the foodservice sector.
Reynolds Foodservice Packaging and Ivex Packaging Corporation have merged their businesses to form a new company, Reynolds Food Packaging, which will focus on delivering innovative, quality products and services to the US foodservice sector.
The merger follows the acquisition by Reynolds' parent company, Alcoa, of Ivex in July 2002. Ivex was a leading manufacturer of speciality plastic packaging, primarily for food processors, and retail supermarket packaging applications, but with a limited presence in foodservice. Reynolds, known primarily for its line of aluminium packaging products, has historically been a strong player in foodservice packaging, with a more limited involvement in the supermarket packaging sector.
"The addition of Ivex broadens Alcoa's position in the food packaging and foodservice packaging markets, where we already have a strong presence," said Michael A. Roeder, president of Reynolds Food Packaging. "Now, the combination of the two companies allows for expanded marketing, sales, and consolidated logistics efforts, offering a broad range of aluminium and plastics products used across all of the aforementioned markets."
Roeder said that the merger of the two businesses, plus the adoption of two key Alcoa business programmes, would help drive growth at the new company. "The Alcoa Business System (ABS) and Enterprise Business System (EBS) will provide long-term value to our customers.
"ABS is a manufacturing 'pull' system that will allow us to produce what customers want, when they need it and with minimum waste and cost. It reaches across all aspects of the business ranging from purchasing to accounts payable to ensuring a safe workplace and will allow us to vastly improve organic growth by identifying and aligning everything we do to customer needs."
He continued: "EBS is a business process software program that will allow us to better communicate with our customers and suppliers. We have also aligned ourselves with key e-business transaction initiatives to enable customers to order electronically. This is far more efficient and accurate than ordering via telephone or fax and allows customers to save money as well. E-business is a key initiative to enhancing our value to customers."
Among the new product launches made easier by the adoption of ABS and EBS are expanded lines of chicken roasters and disposable baskets and domes."With our total market approach and full product offering, we anticipate introducing many new products throughout the year," Roeder added.
Reynolds Food Packaging offers a full line of stock and custom products for the foodservice, supermarket and processor markets. Products include foil, film, aluminium and plastic containers and lids, catering trays, bags, wraps, baking cups and trays, all in a wide range of sizes and configurations for food preparation, serving and storage.
