Kiefel, part of the Brückner Group based in Siegsdorf, Germany, intends to acquire a 100% share in Bosch Sprang, located in Sprang-Capelle in the Netherlands. Both parties signed a purchase agreement some days ago, which is among others still subject to the approval of the cartel authorities.

The main focus of Bosch Sprang, a specialist in the field of thermoforming technology, lies in the development and manufacture of tilting moulds for use in the production of plastic cups; an area in which the company is a world leader. Its team of some 100 employees has made a considerable contribution to the current state of technology.

Bosch Sprang is a worldwide-established supplier to producers of thermoformed rigid packaging parts. The company stands out from its competitors thanks to a sophisticated approach to customer service, which embraces everything from product development, prototyping, sample production and production optimisation to a permanent service presence at customers' production facilities. A highly qualified workforce, top-class products, an in-house laboratory and mechanical engineering, as well as the positive reputation among customers, provide an excellent basis to further expand the company as a technology and development partner.

"This deal does not just bring together two of the technology and market world leaders but also two teams with an absolutely customer-centred approach and an eye to the future", in the words of Kiefel's CEO, Thomas J. Halletz. "The range of services supplied by Bosch Sprang also perfectly matches Kiefel's portfolio as a manufacturer of thermoforming machines, while enhancing our ability to serve the highly demanding tooling needs of the premium segment”.

"Regardless of whether we supply our customers with one-off tools or we offer them an even greater range of services in close cooperation with Kiefel“, says Rob Smeulders, CEO Bosch Sprang, "it is the customer who will ultimately benefit from the long expertise and the excellent service of both companies. This will lead to an optimized interaction between machine and forming-tool”.