With the Map Fresh product line Winpak says it will gain a strong customer base together with the necessary equipment and tooling to produce a complete range of tray sizes used in the fast growing case-ready fresh meat markets.
Further to this the acquisition should increase the company 's ability tomeet customers ' growing demand for innovative products. This means that during 2005 Winpak will be extending the product reach of the tray offering to include modified atmosphere packagingapplications in the processed meat and home meal replacement markets.
Winpak's entry into the modified atmosphere tray market forms part of thecompany's strategy to become the 'one-stop shop' for sophisticated packagingmaterials related to the food industry.
As part of this strategy the company also announced on December 20, that it plans to manufacture shrink bags in the North America American as a result of a proposed alliance with AsahiLife and Living Corporation of Japan.
Back in June 2002 Winpak extended its portfolio with the acquisition of Webkote, a US-based operation that manufactures die-cut lids for the dairy as well as the general food and beverage sector. The follow year the company also announced the expansion of its American Biaxis division that doubled production of its multi-layer biaxially oriented polyamide film for the North American maerket.
Winpak manufactures and distributes high-quality packaging materials andinnovative packaging machines that are sold in combination with packagingmaterials.The Company 's products are used primarily for the protection of perishablefoods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and in medical applications.