Barry-Wehmiller Cos buys the French FFS supplier Arcil

The capital equipment and engineering consulting firm Barry-Wehmiller Cos., St. Louis, acquired Arcil SA, Paris, a supplier of packaging technology for the fresh dairy and food industries. The purchase expands Barry-Wehmiller's packaging platform to six separate operating companies.

Arcil employs around 350 people between its two Paris operations. Arcil's machines use form-fill-seal (FFS) technology to convert plastic film into custom-formed cups that are filled and then sealed within integrated lines. Arcil machines are used in more than 40 countries.

"Arcil's expertise in providing cutting-edge, efficient packaging solutions is highly complementary to our diverse portfolio of packaging companies," Barry-Wehmiller CEO Bob Chapman said in a statement.

Chapman pointed to Arcil's technology and market position as key to broadening Barry-Wehmiller's capabilities in the global fresh dairy market.

“We are delighted to welcome Arcil as the newest member of the Barry-Wehmiller organization, and we look forward to working together to build a strong global business serving a balance of industries and markets,” Chapman said.

Eric Lesbats, Arcil CEO, said, “We are confident that Arcil will be further strengthened within the Barry-Wehmiller culture and our market position in global markets will grow."

Barry-Wehmiller reported annual revenues of more than $1.5 billion. The company operates a number of divisions, divided into packaging automation equipment, engineering and IT consulting, corrugated equipment and paper converting equipment.

Krones, Pro Mach make acquisitions

The German processing equipment maker Krones purchased 100% of the stock of Germany's HST Machinenbau GmbH, a designer and manufacturer of homogenizers and reciprocating pumps for the food and beverage industries. Krones, which manufactures beverage filling and packaging technology plans, to upgrade its future corporate capabilities in process technology for producing juices and milk, and expand its global service and maintenance business, according to a company press release.

Integrated packaging provider Pro Mach this week completed its acquisition of the French capping machinery manufacturer Ets. Andre Zalkin & Cie. Pro Mach had a minority interest in the company. The two firms had been partners since 1972.

Current Zalkin management and employees will continue to operate from their facilities in Montreuil L’Argille and Rueil-Malmaison, France.

Pro Mach said it plans to complete an upcoming factory expansion in France. Zalkin serves customers worldwide in the food and beverage industry, among others. It manufactures screw, push-on, and roll-on pilfer-proof capping machines.

“Zalkin is the ideal partner to support our continued growth outside North America and further strengthen our position as a global leader in packaging solutions,” said Pro Mach president and CEO Mark Anderson.