The KHS Group and Ferrum AG are intensifying their cooperation. Among other things, KHS plans to acquire a stake in Ferrum Packaging AG.
The investment is subject to the approval of the Cartel authorities. The aim is to combine the expertise of both machine manufacturers in a joint system portfolio in favour of integrated customer solutions. At the same time, customers will benefit from sophisticated services from a single source in the future.
The two companies have been working together for Can segment together. The Dortmund-based full-service provider KHS values its Swiss partner above all for its expertise and innovative machine technology.
"Ferrum AG is the world-renowned manufacturer of can seamers. Together with our pioneering solutions in the field of filling and packaging technology, we form an effective union that is valued in the market." Martin ReschManaging Director Purchasing at KHS
The two companies intend to work even more closely together in the future. Ferrum Packaging AG was founded as a subsidiary of Ferrum AG and comprises the entire global can seaming business of Ferrum. KHS will be a minority shareholder in the company. At the same time, Ferrum Packaging Inc., the US subsidiary of Ferrum Packaging AG, will take over KHS' own capper business together with its employees. This will be integrated into the joint offering.
Cooperation for intelligently combined system solutions
The aim of the merger is to Development and global marketing of joint solutions. Until now, the KHS Group has only offered the tried-and-tested Ferrum seamer as a supplementary component of its canning lines. The two companies are now working together on even more efficient line systems, including a filler-capper block. "By cleverly rethinking the technical components, the aim is to make the block solutions as integrative as possible and eliminate redundant functions," says Dr Siegmar Stang, Executive Vice President Wet Area at KHS.
Planned are Filler-capper combinations up to the highest performance class with clear advantages for the overall process, as Oliver Bühler, CTO of Ferrum Packaging AG, explains: "We don't just want to present one solution, but to design a comprehensive system portfolio for every customer requirement with clear customer benefits." The targets set by the two partners for their new developments include a lower TCO thanks to shorter changeover times and faster cleaning phases. The hygienic environment of the systems is also to be further optimised.
Services from a single source
The intensified cooperation will also result in comprehensive customer benefits in the service area. In future, all services for combined solutions from KHS and Ferrum will be offered from a single source. To the planned services include joint overhauls of the systems and the integration of the KHS remote maintenance system ReDis. Thanks to the coordinated supply of spare parts, discontinuation management is also improved, ensuring the continued operation of the machines and thus system availability.
Source: KHS Group
