Voorhees, N.J.-based medical device molder Comar LLC has acquired Wicklow, Ireland-based injection molder Automatic Plastics Ltd., expanding the company internationally for the first time.
APL, which designs, develops, molds and assembles medical devices and rigid pharmaceutical packaging, operates out of an ISO 13485 certified production facility that houses 30 injection molding machines ranging from 25 to 485 tons.
"As part of our global vision, we believe it is critical to have a presence in Europe to better serve our medical and pharmaceutical customers, many of whom have global reach," Comar CEO Mike Ruggieri said in a Feb. 8 news release. "APL has superb quality, best-in-class manufacturing and a spectacular management team that can carry our strategic initiatives forward."
The company specializes in overmolding, two-shot molding, automation, desiccant handling and custom printing, the release said.
Comar declined to comment on the cost of the acquisition or any potential leadership or workforce changes in response to an inquiry by Plastics News.
The combined company will have 11 manufacturing facilities and more than 1,200 employees worldwide.
"[Comar knows] how to partner with companies, mentor teams, and empower them to drive growth," Al Lawless, managing director of APL, said in the release. "We truly believe Comar will bring the focus and resources necessary to elevate APL to the next level of performance."
The acquisition is "the first step in [Comar's] global expansion," the release said.
It "provides an exceptional foundation for Comar to supply its multinational customers and grow in European healthcare markets," the company added.
Comar has $120 million in injection molding in North America, placing it at No. 74 in the most recent Plastics News ranking. It also posted an estimated $110 million in blow molding sales in the region, putting it at No. 23 in the most recent PN ranking.