On April 27, 2011, Bosch signed agreements to acquire Hüttlin GmbH and Manesty Ltd., subsidiaries of OYSTAR Holding GmbH. The two companies develop, manufacture and sell process equipment for the pharmaceuticals industry. 

Hüttlin, based in Schopfheim, Germany, produces specialist drying and granulation equipment, from powder to the production of pharmaceuticals. Manesty, based in Knowsley, near Liverpool in the United Kingdom, specializes in tablet presses and coaters. It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed. The transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

"The two companies are important stepping stones in the expansion of pharmaceuticals process technology at Bosch," says Friedbert Klefenz, president of the Bosch Packaging Technology division. "They support the strategic alignment of the division by complementing the upstream value-added chain. This is a further step toward expanding the division to become a full-service provider. This move complements our primary packaging portfolio."

Focus on Europe
Last year, the two companies generated sales totaling €49 million. Hüttlin employs 80 people in Germany while Manesty has 110 associates in Great Britain. The majority of the sales-some 70 percent-are generated in Europe.

"In selling Hüttlin and Manesty, OYSTAR is continuing its strategic focus on the primary and secondary packaging business," says Tom Graf, the chairman of the board of management of the OYSTAR Group. "At the same time, having Bosch as their new owner equips our subsidiaries Hüttlin GmbH and Manesty well for the future. The companies can work together to extend their activities in the area of pharmaceuticals process technology, and successfully continue their growth course."

Bosch Packaging Technology, based in Waiblingen, Germany, is one of the leading providers of one-stop solutions for packaging and process technology. The division has development and production facilities in 16 countries and markets its machines and systems for the pharmaceuticals, confectionery, cosmetics, food, and non-food industries worldwide. It also has a variety of service offerings. The division employs a global workforce of roughly 4,500 associates.

Source: Bosch Packaging Technology

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