US – American packaging machinery provider Massman Companies has acquired Ultra Packaging (UPI), a private company that designs automated cartoning machines.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, UPI offers high-speed, continuous-motion machines in multiple configurations, ranging from manual to full robotic loading.
The company’s equipment is used in the food, personal care, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries among others.
Massman Companies president and CEO Jeffrey Hohn said: “Companies are increasingly looking for efficient solutions to improve output and lower costs. Cartoning, shrink wrapping and case packing are three technologies often performed together.
“Massman’s offering of reliable and robust products in all three categories simplifies our customers’ path to automated packaging.”
UPI is Massman’s latest acquisition in the automated packaging sector.
Ultra Packaging’s cartoning products will allow Massman to offer a full range of solutions, from cartons and bottles to pallets.
Massman said the integration will benefit its customers by allowing them to buy connected packaging equipment, simplifying the design, equipment layout, purchase, service and equipment service contract.
The company will merge UPI’s sales, customer service and engineering teams to serve both firms’ customers. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
UPI president and owner Bob Stockus said: “I am thrilled that UPI is now part of the Massman family of packaging machinery solutions. The resources Massman can provide will build and expand the customer partnerships.”
Based in Minnesota, Massman provides customized bottling and packaging equipment ranging from bottles to tote containers.
The company offers a full range of automated packaging equipment, including pouch filling, unscrambling, capping, case packing, shrink wrapping, palletizing and liquid filling solutions.
It serves customers in the industrial, food, beverage, over-the-counter pharmaceutical and consumer products industries.
Massman was assisted by private investment firm Granite Partners in its acquisition of UPI, with Lathrop GPM and CliftonLarsenAllen advising on the investment.
The deal come nearly a year after Massman Companies acquired land in Alexandria to support Massman’s future expansion plans.
Located off of County Road 46 and Nevada Street, the 80-acre property features wetlands, woods, and rolling land that will be the site for Massman’s future expansion.
The site is located less than two miles from Alexandria, and provides access to hotels, restaurants, and the conveniences of Alexandria, according to Ross Gencheff, Massman Company’s director of marketing.
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