Ampac acquires Germany's Floeter group to gain an edge in retort pouch business.

Ampac Packaging LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, has acquired privately-held, Floeter Flexible Packaging Group, Eberdingen, Germany, for an undisclosed amount.

Floeter specializes in stand-up pouch converting and is known for its retort pouch-making capability. Founded in 1985, it is a supplier to many multinational food producers.

The acquisition includes two manufacturing plants in Germany (Eberdingen, near Stuttgart, and Leipzig), one in India (New Delhi), and another in the United States (Chicago). Floeter and its employees will become part of the Ampac Flexibles division of Ampac Holdings LLC.

"We could not be more excited about Ampac and Floeter joining together," said Ampac President and CEO John Baumann. "This is a remarkable combination of organizations, technology and capabilities. The company's long standing reputation as a frontrunner and technology leader for preformed retort pouches makes the acquisition a perfect next step in our strategic growth plan."

"This acquisition and the combination of two strong pouching companies will generate synergies for both," agreed Marc Rapp, founder and ceo of Floetet; who will stay on as president of Ampac's global pouching division and as an Ampac shareholder.

With Rapp at the helm, Floeter will continue as a standalone company, reporting to George Thomas, vice president and general manager of Ampac Flexibles. Floeter has built its reputation as a technology, quality, and service leader in pouch manufacturing. In the '90s, the company anticipated worldwide growth in pouch usage, continuously investing in leading edge equipment and proprietary pouch-producing capabilities.

Ampac Packaging LLC, a diversified, international flexible packaging company, operates 14 manufacturing centers in North America, Europe and Asia, employing approximately 1,300 people and producing annual revenues in excess of $300 million.