ITW Muller celebrates 30 years of the ‘Octopus’

ITW Muller celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Octopus stretch wrap equipment in the same week its parent company, Illinois Tool Works, acquired Gold Pattern Holdings.

The equipment, designed by ITW Muller’s sister company Haloila, uses rotary ring technology to create stretch wrap film which is used in the food industry to wrap pallets of produce.

What made the Octopus famous 30 years ago still holds true today; however, technological advancements and a commitment to quality have allowed us to evolve and produce an even better, faster and more efficient machine,” said Dan Schmidt, business development manager, ITW Muller.

The Octopus equipment is automated, and can handle from 45 to 150 loads per hour, depending on the machine type. The company claims its pre-stretching design saves up to 25% in film usage.

The US manufacturer has produced more than 5,000 Octopus wrapping machines worldwide since its invention in 1983.

ITW acquisition

Illinois Tool Works Inc., the parent company of ITW Muller, has acquired Gold Pattern Holdings from private equity firm Actis.

Gold Pattern Holdings owns Vesta Global Ltd., which holds a 100% equity stake in Vesta Catering Co. (‘Vesta’).

"We are pleased to add Vesta to our global food equipment business," said Chris O'Herlihy, VP, ITW Executive.

"This acquisition gives us entry to the fast-growing Chinese Western cooking industry with a differentiated product offering, attractive end market presence, and a well-established national distribution sales and service network."

Vesta is a kitchen equipment manufacturer in China, producing Western cooking equipment for four and five star hotels and restaurants. Its sells fryers, griddles and ovens under the brand name Justa.

The company operates two factories in Guangzhou city in China, employing 900 people.