Aqua-Pak Industries Ltd. has acquired a crosstown expanded polystyrene molder in Surrey, British Columbia.
Aqua-Pak's purchase of Mansonville Plastics Group of Cos. on Sept. 19 was a strategic acquisition, according to Aqua-Pak General Manager Josh Plamondon.
"This gives us more capacity and complementary product lines," Plamondon said in a phone interview.
Aqua-Pak is mainly an EPS shape molder that is known for its large EPS boxes used to transport perishables such as fresh fish. Mansonville Group is mainly an EPS block molder, Plamondon explained. Each company also has experience in the strong suit of the other.
Plamondon declined to give sales figures for the two firms but he did say each employs slightly fewer than 100.
Mansonville Group includes Mansonville Plastics (B.C.) Ltd., First Choice Manufacturing Ltd. and Korolite Engineered Panel Structures Ltd. The business was founded in 1959 in Mansonville, Quebec. Mario Cormier bought the British Columbia part of the business in 1981. His death a few years ago prompted a search for a buyer.
Aqua-Pak was incorporated in 1986 to supply EPS boxes to the growing aquaculture market in British Columbia. It branched out into industrial packaging and in 1994 launched its Quad-Lock system of insulated concrete forms for building foundations and shells. Its entry into the construction market was followed by adding new products including Airfoam EPS insulation, Geofoam and Flotation products. In addition to building construction, the company's products find use under highways, in bridge abutments and in landscaping.
The company has ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. It claims to be the largest EPS shape molder in the Pacific Northwest. It runs a satellite plant under the Noboco Styro Containers Ltd. name in Campbell River, British Columbia. It also recycles EPS.
Aqua-Pak touts the sustainability benefits of EPS shipping boxes and EPS insulation and says the deal with Mansonville Group increases its commitment to sustainability.
The purchase expands Aqua-Pak's talent pool and product line, "especially for building envelope systems that are critically important to stop the large, avoidable waste of energy in buildings while keeping occupants healthy, comfortable and productive," said Aqua-Pak President Hubert Kustermann in a news release.
The companies predict their deal will be finalized on Oct. 1. Mansonville Group will continue as a stand-alone unit.
