PFM buys up Italian packager

The PFM Group has announced the take over of SPS Packaging, the Italy-based packager specialising in the design and production of automatic wrapping systems for snacks, biscuits and confectionery.

The PFM Group has announced the take over of SPS Packaging, the Italy-based packager specialising in the design and production of automatic wrapping systems for snacks, biscuits and confectionery.

PFM said that the take over complements its existing portfolio of production equipment, which in recent years has concentrated on industry specialisation, technical innovation and variety.

In recent years PFM has made a number of major acquisitions aimed at boosting the company's offerings in the packaging sector. These have included the purchase of two other Italian packaging machinery companies - BG PACK in Bergamo, which specialises in the production of innovative packaging machines and MBP in Castiglione delle Stiviere, which specialises in the manufacturing of multi-head and linear weighers and vertical packaging machines.

PFM says that in a sense it is going 'back to its roots' with this takeover: SPS started in 1964 as Italianapack and was the first company established by Pietro and Elisabetta Fioravanti the founders of PFM.

The company became so successful in the market that it was purchased in 1972 by the American group FMC. During this time the company name and owners changed until it was handed over to the CIR Group (Sasib), and now after thirty years the company is 'coming home' with the name 'SPS Italiana Pack Systems'.

Italianapack made its name as an innovative and vital contributor to the industry. As part of the PFM Group, SPS is now reintroduced as a company specialising in technology with the support of the whole group.

According to PFM, the main objectives of the group are to combine our skills and talents and continue to offer the market innovative and technically developed products. This, the company adds, is supported by its personnel throughout the group.

The PFM Group has been working in the packaging business for about 40 years and in recent years has strengthened its presence in the industry through technological innovation and a series of acquisitions. PFM Packaging Machinery, is joined by the British company, PFM LTD and the Canadian company, PFM Corporation US & Canada, together with the newly acquired BG PACK SPA, which has consolidated the Group's presence in the market of ergonomic and resealable packaging and the most recent acquisition, MBP, a company in Mantua, Italy, producing multi-headed, linear weighing machines, which complete the range of PFM machines dedicated to vertical packaging.