tna acquires Unique Solutions which makes promotional packaging for Nestlè and Hershey's

The acquisition is effective from November, 4 and Unique Solutions will retain its brand and become integrated into the tna group.

Games or labels inside cereal boxes

Shayne de la Force, group marketing manager, tna, told ConfectioneryNews, the acquisition was a natural transition for the firm as the two companies have been working together for some time.

“It was an easy decision for us because we are trying to expand our product range for turnkey solutions and to add value to our existing products​,” he said.

“Being able to insert a label together with our packaging will give customers the ability to add promotional material and ingredients, such as yeast in a case mix, packets of salt in a chip bag, toys inside bags, and games or labels inside cereal boxes​.

“The potential is huge and Unique Solutions has a strong customer base​.”

Continuous perforated bandolier (CPB) technology

As part of the acquisition, tna will integrate the firm’s continuous perforated bandolier (CPB) technology into its packaging equipment, which can insert value-added two-dimensional (e.g. coupons, magnets, and tattoos) and three-dimensional items (e.g. toys, scoops and dry or liquid-filled sachets), into primary packaging at speeds up to 1,000 pieces per minute.

Its equipment can be integrated with vertical or horizontal form fill and seal applications, cartoning, flow-wrapping and conveying lines. Its labelling equipment is compatible with any application requiring wipe-on, blow-on, tamp-on, corner-wrap, swing tamp or vertical form fill and seal packaging lines.

“This is tna’s seventh acquisition now and it is not the last, as we are hoping to make another announcement early next year​,” added de la Force.

“I will be travelling to Chicago to spend some time at the company in the coming months, to get the two brands aligned and to assist with the transitionary phase, liaise with sales and marketing and look at how we take our products to market. We have 28 offices around the world now and our global network of manufacturing sites will allow Unique Solutions to expand its international reach​.”

Joyce Witt, chairman/CEO, Unique Solutions, said after working with tna for many years, becoming part of the company was easy.

“We can bring Unique Solutions to more people in more places. As tna continues to grow, we look forward to being part of their success,​"  she said.