Aetna Group packaging solutions targets Brazil

Italy’s Aetna Group packaging solutions targets Brazil

Spain first, and now Brazil. For Aetna Group, 2015 is certainly the year for shopping, a path of growth by acquisitions leading the Rimini-based group, specialized in automated equipment for end-of-line pallet load packaging, to strengthen and expand its international presence.

Foreign growth is a crucial strategy for a company like Aetna, which generates nearly 90% of its revenues thanks to exports that are now reaching a new record high.

In late May, there was the first thrust, with the creation of Aetna group Iberica through the acquisition of Syntech Technology, a company specialized in the design and sale of packaging machines.

Now, a new coup, with a double acquisition in Brazil adding 120 more employees and a turnover of 25 million reals, about €7 million, to the orbit of the group. Aetna has acquired the majority stakes of IMSB and Rotac, two companies specialized in the production of packaging machinery in key areas of the Brazilian market. The group’s current revenue is €120 million

Thanks to this transaction Aetna, which over the past four years has already installed more than 300 automatic machines in South America, will also be able to produce its products locally, but generating employment also for the Italian plants of the group.

The development plan provides for the increase of penetration in the Brazilian market with new products, partly manufactured in Brazil and partly in Italy.

“Our innovative products will allow us to build market shares and increase the revenues by 50%,” said the group’s managing director Valentina Aureli. “We also expect similar external growth through the acquisition of companies that are complementary to ours.”

“In the medium term our goal is to generate 10% of the turnover in the Spanish market,” said the president of the group Alfredo Aureli. “The mountain we want to climb is the Brazilian market, and fortunately, thanks to these acquisitions, we will start from a good ’base camp.’”

“The cross-border takeovers allow us to produce abroad, at least in part locally, which will generate additional export also from Italian factories,” he said.

The technological division in the company is entrusted to the technicians of the in-house laboratory that, together with the customers, study new packaging solutions, also in terms of waste reduction.

“Our company is the only one in the world that has built, in partnership with plastic film producers and universities, a research laboratory able to reduce the stabilization costs and ensure palletized loads, thus eliminating the damage to goods,” said Aureli.