Ringmetall enters North America with purchase of TriMas bag-in-box unit

USA – Ringmetall has acquired Rapak, TriMas Corporation’s bag-in-box packaging and filling systems business, establishing a direct manufacturing presence in North America for liquid packaging formats.

The transaction, announced by investment banking firm Woodward Park Partners which advised TriMas, was completed for undisclosed financial terms. 

Rapak operates from facilities in Woodridge, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana, producing bag-in-box systems for liquid food, beverage and industrial applications. 

Bag-in-box formats pair flexible inner pouches with rigid outer containers, offering efficient transport, extended shelf life for liquids and reduced material use compared with fully rigid alternatives.

TriMas Reshapes Packaging Division

TriMas had held Rapak since 2020 as part of its packaging group, which operates alongside its speciality products division serving consumer packaging, life sciences and industrial markets across 12 countries with roughly 2,500 employees. 

Thomas Snyder, president and chief executive officer of TriMas, said the company was pleased to have found a strong strategic owner for Rapak, adding that the buyer was well-positioned to support the business’s continued growth and success. 

The divestiture allows TriMas to concentrate resources on its remaining packaging and speciality product lines.

German Buyer Expands Global Footprint

Ringmetall, based in Munich, manufactures closure systems and inner liners for industrial drums serving chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing sectors. 

The company maintains production and sales operations across Europe, China, the United States and South Africa, supplying packaging solutions for beverage producers and industrial users. 

In April, Ringmetall acquired the thermoforming division of New Bedford, Massachusetts-based New England Plastics through an asset deal, gaining capabilities in rigid and form liners, tote liners and other thermoformed components used in industrial packaging.

Consolidation Reshapes Liquid Packaging Supply

The acquisition reflects ongoing consolidation in liquid packaging markets, where suppliers build scale to serve beverage producers, food processors and chemical manufacturers.

Bag-in-box formats have gained traction as alternatives to rigid containers, particularly for syrups, juices, dairy products and liquid ingredients, because they reduce packaging weight and allow efficient emptying with minimal residue. 

Supplier consolidation may influence pricing and service terms across North American distribution networks, while the combination of Ringmetall’s European industrial packaging expertise with Rapak’s North American bag-in-box capabilities creates a broader platform for serving multinational customers. 

The purchase follows Ringmetall’s earlier acquisition of thermoforming assets, indicating a deliberate strategy of building a comprehensive packaging portfolio through targeted deals.

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