Germany's Röchling grows in pharma packaging, auto molding
By Steve Toloken
PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
Global plastics processor Röchling Engineering Plastics KG is beefing up its presence in pharmaceutical packaging by acquiring German molder HPT Hochwertige Pharmatechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
The company's automotive division also is expanding a facility to meet increased demand from BMW AG.
Röchling, based in Haren, Germany, said Jan. 13 that the HPT purchase is part of a strategic expansion into packaging for the life sciences industries.
Neuhaus am Rennweg, Germany-based HPT has about 250 employees and annual sales of about 33 million euros ($39.1 million).
“Through this acquisition we will expand our range of high-quality medical technology products made from high-performance plastics and we expect synergy effects with our other locations dealing with the topic of medical technology,” said Röchling Chief Operating Officer Ludger Bartels.
Röchling said HPT general manager Karl-Heinz Sladek will remain with the company.
“This presents us with excellent prospects for further growth and protecting the jobs in Neuhaus,” Sladek said in the statement. “HPT will become part of a group of companies with a leading position worldwide.”
HPT specializes in manufacturing bottles, canisters, caps and closures for the pharmaceutical and diagnostic sectors, using a variety of molding processes including injection stretch and extrusion blow molding, along with downstream sterilization, decoration and assembly operations.
HPT started in 1955 as Heinz Plastics in Kleintettau and said it was one of the first manufacturers of plastic cosmetic containers.
Röchling said the acquisition become effective Jan. 1.
The company also announced Jan. 13 that it was investing 4.5 million euros ($5.3 million) to expand its automotive molding facility in Wackersdorf, Germany.
The company will add 27,000 square feet to its production space, giving it more than 62,500 square feet of manufacturing area there, along with making significant additions to logistics and warehouse space.
Röchling said it is expanding to meet demand from BMW, and will add 75 new jobs, giving it 200 total, and several injection molding machines with clamping forces of up to 2,300 metric tons.
“In the future, we will be producing plastic parts in the underbody, engine compartment, air induction system, and air flap control divisions as well as air and water management for the BMW 5 and 7 series,” said plant manager Karl-Heinz Blöth.
The expansion is scheduled to be completed by May 2016.
Röchling Group employs 8,000 at 65 factories in 21 countries. Its automotive division employs about 4,200, while its engineering plastics unit, which includes the HPT acquisition, employs more than 3,000. It had global 2013 sales of 1.28 billion euros ($1.51 billion).