Wisconsin-based Bemis Manufacturing Co. has boosted its status as a global leader in the toilet seat production with its purchase of a Croatian company, which provides it with a footprint in Eastern Europe.
Ivanicplast d.o.o. is an injection molder and thermoset compression molder in Ivanic Grad, Croatia. The company already produces toilet seats sold under the Bello trade name throughout Central and Eastern Europe. The acquisition was completed in March.
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, sees the Croatian operation become a second manufacturing facility in Europe for Bemis, based in Sheboygan Falls.
Bemis consolidated its European manufacturing in Burnley, England, in in 2013, where it makes toilet seats under the Bemis, Carrara & Matta names as well as for private labels.
"The acquisition combines the strengths of Bemis and Ivanicplast, leveraging Bemis' global network and resources and Ivanicplast's local market expertise and manufacturing capabilities," Bemis officials said in a news release. "Ivanicplast adds a presence in Central and Eastern Europe to Bemis, reaffirming the ongoing Bemis commitment to expand its capabilities and service offerings in Europe as well as other key global markets."
Ivanicplast produces around 450,000 seats a year of which 80 percent are exported to 27 countries in Europe and worldwide.
Vitomir Klasic purchased Ivanicplast was in 1999 and will work with Bemis on integration, growth and development at the Croatian operation. He is now deputy managing director there under the new CEO Philippe Bancken, who heads the Bemis Europe, Middle East and Africa division, Bemis said.
Apart from toilet seats Bemis molds a variety of health care containers, liquid and air filters, plastic grocery carts and customized injection precision molded parts. Bemis employs a 1,600 across six countries.