Leading European plastic film producer, RKW, has acquired US barrier film and label manufacturer Danafilms in a move that will give it greater access to the North American market.
Massachusetts based Danafilms produces lamination, label, lidding and barrier films. Key customers are in the converting segment of the plastics industry and serve the food and beverage sector as well as other industries. ISO certified and production includes both mono and up to 7-layer co-extruded films.
“RKW and I see exciting opportunities to better serve existing customers and introduce Danafilms to new customers”, said president of Danafilms, Sherman Olson.
RKW CEO, Roland Roth, said that the buyout of Danafilms represents a “valuable addition” to the company, instantly providing the European group with strategically located up-to-date facilities serving the North American market. The US company has continually expanded its manufacturing capacity, recently completing a substantial addition to its Kentucky plant.
Alexandra Jaranilla, director of marketing and communications for RKW, said that challenges around logistics, a lack of local production sites and the resulting lack of proximity to customers were some of the barriers to entry in the North American market prior to the acquisition.
She said that Danafilms “food and beverage customers will benefit from the affiliation with RKW through an “enlarged product portfolio, and the technical expertise from both companies (over 40 and 50 years of experience).”
According to Jaranilla, the US firm’s appeal for RKW lay in such factors as its “experienced workforce and excellent management team, excellent reputation, local manufacturing facilities, high-quality products, and state-of-the art technologies.”
The German polyethylene and polypropylene film manufacturer, which has an existing sales office in Georgia, added that under the RKW decentralized management structure, customers will continue to deal with existing relationships and its products and services will be added to Danafilms’ portfolio.
RKW currently has 19 facilities throughout Europe, Egypt and Vietnam and serves the consumer packaging, industrial films and packaging, agricultural films and nets as well as hygiene and medical markets.
