The OYSTAR Group – one of the world's leading manufacturers of packaging machinery – has sold its secondary packaging division A+F to mutares AG. This marks the completion of the strategic concentration on the primary packaging business for the dairy and food industries OYSTAR initiated in 2010.
"Now OYSTAR can devote its full attention to the market for primary packaging solutions," OYSTAR's CEO Markus Ehl emphasized after signing the contract with mutares. "This isn't just where our strengths lie; it's also where the group forsees the greatest growth potential." The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. All that is left to finish the transaction is for the antitrust authorities to approve the sale, which they will likely do in the coming weeks.
OYSTAR enjoys a strong market position internationally in the key segments of thermoform, fill and seal for cups and fill and seal for pre-formed cups and bottles, as well as wrapping machinery for butter, margarine, etc. Since 2011 OYSTAR has been reporting clear, continuously growing sales and earnings. Now enabled to focus efforts on the market for primary packaging, the group will continue to stay on its growth course and solidify its leading position in the industry.
Ehl also highlighted the development potential that the sale holds for A+F. "As an independent enterprise, A+F now has the chance to apply its significant expertise to other industries without having to align itself to our group's needs," explained the OYSTAR CEO. "That was another principal reason behind the sale." Under the umbrella of the OYSTAR Group, A+F mainly operated in the dairy market, which is extremely important for OYSTAR. Working with the new owner, A+F can now approach markets it wasn't able to focus on in the past.
OYSTAR will continue to offer its clients complete packaging lines for product filling through to final packaging, either together with A+F or with other partners as necessary.
