The German-based giant said the takeover of Trimaster marked a “significant expansion” in its line automation product portfolio - and in particular palletizing.
“While we have some automation operation, the acquisition of Trimaster is a big step forward,” Esa Harju, Multivac Finland managing director, told FoodProductionDaily.com. “We see that our customers are wanting to buy larger and more complete lines.”
He added that Multivac had already developed its picking and placing operations but the purchase of Trimaster was important for expanding it palletizing business.
No financial details about the transaction were available.
Trimaster, founded in 1998, specialises in palletising systems and robotic cells as well as monitoring and conveying systems. It currently employs around 20 workers, who will be integrated into its new owner’s Finnish sales and service business.
It also has an established working relationship Swedish company ABB Robotics and Multivac vowed to “intensify this partnership, particularly in the sector of palletising systems”.
"Our customers are increasingly faced with handling challenges, for example with loading of product into packs or with the converging of packs after packaging. With the acquisition of Trimaster we are extending in particular our range of ABB robots and monitoring systems," added Harju.
Double digit growth
Multivac said the deal, which was completed on 9 December, would also help it boosts its presence in the Scandinavian market.
A separate company spokeswoman said that Multivac would invest in Trimaster and seek to achieve double-digit growth for its new asset, in line with the firm’s global expansion strategy.
“We want to be closer to our customers and this deal will help us expand our presence in Finland, Scandinavia and the Baltics,” said Harju.
The company added that after targeting Scandinavian markets it would look at implementing the know across its global operations.