Alpha Poly Packaging Solutions has boosted its flexible packaging printing business with the acquisition of Mikia Printing. Alpha Poly announced the deal in mid-December but did not disclose terms.
Alpha Poly, based in Brampton, Ontario, will move some of Mikia's printing assets to its facility by February. Mikia's lease on its facility in Acton, Ontario, is expiring and Mikia's owner, Vaughan Campbell, decided not to renew it, but rather to join forces with Alpha Poly. Campbell is joining Alpha Poly as a consultant for technical and sales support.
“There are great synergies,” explained Alpha Poly President Patrick Kerrigan in a phone interview. The addition of Mikia brings “a whole new dimension” to Alpha Poly's growth.
Alpha Poly's staff level, currently 54, will grow by four when Mikia's business is folded into Alpha Poly.
Alpha Poly does solventless laminating and runs six-color and eight-color presses in its 53,000-square-foot facility. Its product lines include rollstock, laminated films and a wide range of bags, including modified-atmosphere and barrier types. Its operation includes high-speed slitting machines. It spent about C$3.5 million (US$2.6 million) on expansion in 2013, adding a Windmoeller & Hoelscher eight-color printing press, Nordmeccanica laminator and Deacro slitter.
Alpha Poly is not relocating Mikia's solvent-based lamination line, which will be sold at auction.
Kerrigan founded Alpha Poly 26 years ago and it remains in the Kerrigan family. In 2010 it changed its name from Alpha Polybag to reflect its branching out from polybags into printed laminate roll stock and bags. The firm's sales are concentrated in various food, nutrition and pharmaceutical markets in Canada, the United States and Caribbean.
“It's a giant leap forward for Mikia's customers, who will immediately benefit from our combined skill set and cost efficiencies,” noted Campbell.