Australian-owned original equipment manufacturer, HMPS, has acquired machine engineering company Engi-O, expanding its product portfolio and market reach in the food sector.
The Engi-O acquisition adds valuable new capabilities to HMPS, including turnkey solutions for aseptic and non-aseptic bag-in-box packaging systems. This enables HMPS to offer fully integrated, end-to-end packaging lines, allowing customers to streamline operations and reduce time to market with a simplified procurement, installation, and maintenance process.
Adam Read, HMPS chief revenue officer, tells PKN, “HMPS has been involved with bag-in-box systems for several decades, consistently pushing the envelope in automation and packaging technologies. This acquisition of Engi-O marks a pivotal moment in our journey, enhancing our existing capabilities with advanced aseptic filling technologies.”
Read adds, “Our commitment to innovation and customer-focused solutions has led us here, and with Engi-O's expertise, we are now uniquely positioned to lead in the marketplace with turnkey solutions that cater to a broader range of packaging needs.”
According to Read, the synergies between Engi-O’s innovation in bag-in-box and bulk filling technologies and HMPS’s automation expertise are expected to accelerate the development of advanced packaging systems.
Since the deal was concluded, Engi-O assets and eight team members have been integrated into HMPS’s Melbourne operation in the suburb of Heidelberg, with former owner Andrew Ogilvy joining the team to focus on R&D.
“The additional staff will boost the combined company’s ability to provide top-tier technical support and customer service, thanks to an expanded team of experts,” Read says.
Commenting on whether the acquisition will open new markets for HMPS, Read confirmed that Engi-O’s established market footprint in industries such as dairy and fruit juice will help HMPS penetrate these sectors more effectively, broadening its customer base and increasing its market share.
“There’s a big demand for bag-in-box solutions for products like ice cream mix for the food service sector, and the benefit of aseptic means no cold chain transport and storage is required,” Read adds, noting the sustainability benefits of reducing cold supply chains and factory footprints, leading to energy savings for customers.
While the food industry is the primary target, Read says other applications like oils and edible oils also present an opportunity as these sectors transition to renewable packaging formats.
“In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, Engi-O’s solutions – which help reduce packaging waste and improve product shelf life – align well with global environmental standards and consumer preferences. This gives HMPS a distinct competitive advantage in delivering packaging solutions that meet both business and environmental goals,” Read says.
Another key benefit of the purchase is the opportunity for HMPS to grow its export business through Engi-O’s established international channels, aligning with HMPS’s strategic goal to increase its presence in global markets. Engi-O has an established base in Europe, the US, and APAC regions, with agents in North America and the Netherlands. Read says HMPS will leverage this global network for its full portfolio of products.
Financially, the acquisition is expected to yield operational efficiencies, cost savings from shared resources, and increased revenue from new customers and markets. Additionally, it opens greater opportunities for R&D investment, that will ultimately strengthen HMPS’s product portfolio.
This article was first published in the November-December 2024 print issue of PKN Packaging News, page 27.
