IMA Group Acquires OYSTAR Group, Strengthening Food Packaging Product Range

Former OYSTAR Subsidiaries Behnil, Erca, Gasti, Hamba and Hassia now part of IMA Dairy & Food

The international Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. (IMA Group), headquartered in Bologna, Italy, has acquired the operating business of OYSTAR Group, a leading global producer of packaging machines, from private equity firm ODEWALD. In the United States, OYSTAR Group’s subsidiaries – including Benhil, Erca, Gasti, Hamba and Hassia, who together comprise more than 850 employees – are now under the umbrella of IMA Dairy & Food USA, which will continue to be headquartered in Edison, NJ.

IMA Group is a world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tea, coffee and food. The Group has approximately 3,700 employees and 24 production plants in Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, India and China, as well as a global sales and service network. IMA Group is active in more than 80 countries.

Alberto Vacchi, Chairman and CEO of IMA Group, said: "With this acquisition, the IMA Group is taking another important step towards the future. The product range of the companies being acquired is complementary to our presence in the food industry and positions us, worldwide, among the most important group leaders in food packaging."

Arnold Lawner, Vice President Sales, IMA Dairy & Food USA, said: "Our strategy has been and will continue to be to focus and build on our strengths. We know IMA supports our innovative manufacturing capabilities are we look forward to continuing our successful growth path under the umbrella of the IMA Group.

About IMA Group
IMA Group is a world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tea, coffee and food. The Group has approximately 3,700 employees and 24 production plants in Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, India and China as well as a global sales and service network. IMA Group is active in more than 80 countries.

IMA Dairy & Food USA serves the dairy and food industries with a portfolio covering nearly all areas of packaging machine application, including:

• Filling and sealing machines (FS) for preformed cups and bottles, and forming, filling and sealing machines (FFS) for packaging products in the food, dairy, beverage segment filled up to the aseptic level as well as wrapping machines for packaging butter, margarine, etc.
• Aseptic vertical form, fill and seal machines for stick packs / pouches (with the corresponding dosing systems) as well as FS and FFS machines for packaging single portions of coffee, honey, jam, etc.

IMA Dairy & Food’s main office in the United States is located in Edison, NJ. For more information, visit www.oystar-group.com.