Navigator Group Acquires Sapal S.A.
- Published: September 12, 2017
MUNICH, GERMANY | The Navigator Group is planning to acquire the engineering company Sapal S.A., Ecublens, Switzerland, from Bosch's Packaging Technology division. Sapal is part of the packaging machinery division of the Bosch Group and is focused on diefold packaging. With the takeover by the Navigator Group, some 80 employees will have a long-term perspective in the focused development of an independently operating unit.
The production site in Ecublens has a long history. The company was founded by Jean-Jacques Köhler in 1906 and has set standards with high-precision packaging technology from the outset. In 2004 Sapal became part of Bosch’s packaging division through the takeover of SIG Group by BOSCH. Today, Sapal is reportedly one of the technology leaders in diefolding packaging of cheese under the Kustner brand, and of soup cubes and chocolate.
The Navigator Group is acquiring Sapal through a share deal. The parties agreed on the non-disclosure of the purchase price.
Dietmar Gundel, partner of Navigator Group, says: "I had a very good impression at the very first contact: quality of the machines, market potential, and highly motivated employees form an excellent basis for further development of the company."
Jakob Bleiker, head of Business Unit Food, Bosch Packaging Technology, says, "As a stand-alone company, we see a good opportunity for Sapal to flexibly operate the business in this volatile niche market and to continue to develop profitably in the long term. In addition, since there is hardly any synergy potential with other Bosch Packaging Technology divisions, we decided to sell Sapal to the Navigator Group."
Claudio Manfroni, former and future CEO of Sapal S.A., says, "We have conducted many investor discussions. …I am convinced that with the Navigator Group, we have found a suitable new owner with whom we can successfully drive the business of Sapal."
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