Brown + Lyle = Thermoforming Giant.

Further consolidation of thermoforming equipment makers was announced at NPE 2000 last month. Brown Machine LLC and Lyle Industries, Inc., both of Beaverton, Mich., plan to merge into North America's largest supplier of forming machines. Both firms are leaders in rollfed, in-line machinery; while Brown also makes cut-sheet equipment. Lyle also produces bottle trimmers. The new marketing alliance between Lyle and Gabler of Germany will continue after the merger.