PACKAGING BRIEFS-Tuesday, Dec. 7

Wittenstein opens $16 million production facility
The Wittenstein group, with North American headquarters outside of Chicago, IL, expands with the grand opening of a new approximately $16 million production site in Gruesch, Switzerland.

Colbert Packaging receives its first Canadian patent
Colbert Packaging Corp., a manufacturer of folding cartons, rigid paper boxes and paperboard specialty products, has been granted its first Canadian patent for BlisterGuard.  The patent (2,497,044) was issued by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for the unique design of BlisterGuard and is the company’s eighth patent and the third awarded for BlisterGuard.

Ardagh Glass completes acquisition of Impress Group
Ardagh Glass Group is pleased to announce today it has completed the acquisition of global metal packaging group Impress Coöperatieve U.A. for €1.7 billion. Both the European and U.S. regulatory authorities have approved the deal to create an enlarged organization, which will be known as Ardagh Group. Ardagh Group will operate 81 facilities across 24 countries, employ approximately 14,000 people and have annual revenues of more than €3 billion.

Adhesives Research promotes Scott Knorr to vp and GM
Adhesives Research Inc., a developer and manufacturer of high-performance p-s adhesives, tapes, specialty coatings, films and laminates, promotes Scott Knorr to the position of GM and vp of the Adhesives Research division. In his new role, Knorr will oversee global sales as well as research and development efforts for the company’s pharmaceutical, medical, electronics, splicing and engineered tapes businesses.

Staples Print Solutions acquires PRINTSouth Corp.Staples Print Solutions, a division of Staples Inc. and a supplier of flexible packaging, labels and other printed products, acquires PRINTSouth Corp., which operates Miami Systems—a $70 million national print provider. 
Cei opens third flexible packaging plantCoating Excellence International (cei), opens its third flexible packaging manufacturing facility. The new facility in Appleton, WI, will provide cei with nearly 1 million sq feet of combined manufacturing space and will house a state-of-the art tandem extruder and related high-speed equipment. Additionally, cei recently invested in the growth of another facility with the addition of a Totani pouch machine.
DDL celebrates 20 years in business
DDL, a medical device package, product and material testing firm, passes company milestone – 20 years in business. The company, which began as Distribution Dynamic Labs in October of 1990 by John Hart and Patrick Nolan, has more than 65 employees at three locations across the U.S.

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