The new company behind the Swiftpack and King brands of automated liquid and tablet filling systems says it is to embark on a substantial programme of investment including new product launches and machine upgrades.
Following a management-led buyout, Swiftpack has become part of the newly-created Nova Packaging Systems Group Inc, which has bought the Swiftpack and King businesses from US-based DT Industries with support from investment partners Kinderhook Capital.
Massachusetts-based Nova also simultaneously acquired the Kalish, Lakso and Merrill machinery brands.
Swiftpack’s management team, headed by managing director and co-investor Des O’Neil, remains unchanged, with the company retaining its UK headquarters at its 50 000ft2 manufacturing facility at Alcester. Warwickshire.
“We are delighted to have maintained the majority of the company’s skilled workforce and pleased Swiftpack Automation’s expansion plans will bring further improvements both to product ranges and in other areas such as research and development and after-sales support,” says O’Neil.
At the recent Total exhibition Swiftpack demonstrated a new 12-lane tablet counter with a handling speed of over 100 bottles/min and there are plans to launch a 24-lane version at November’s Pack Expo.