Duravant to buy packaging equipment provider Cloud Packaging Solutions

Duravant has signed an agreement to acquire Cloud Packaging Solutions, a manufacturer of flexible packaging equipment, from its parent company Hearthside Food Solutions.

Headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, Cloud is a manufacturer of high-speed horizontal flexible packaging equipment for food companies. The Cloud installed base extends to North America, Europe and Asia.

The transaction will see Cloud’s patented rotary soluble pod equipment and ultra-high-speed packet, pouch, and sachet machines join Duravant’s portfolio of engineering equipment for the food processing and packaging sectors.

US-based Duravant says the acquisition will also help extend its reach into new markets and benefit customers with an expanded set of value-added solutions.

“I couldn’t imagine a more complementary addition to the Duravant family of operating companies,” said Mike Kachmer, president and CEO of Duravant.

He added: “Cloud’s highly regarded service team coupled with our SupportPro technicians means more feet on the street servicing Duravant flexible pouch equipment. Companies ranging from a multi-national CPG to a regional contract packager have a fit-for-purpose, best-in-class solution available to them through Duravant.”

Hearthside Food Solutions acquired Cloud as part of its acquisition of Ryt-way Foods in 2013.

“Cloud has continued to thrive as part of Hearthside, and we will continue to be a Cloud equipment customer,” said Chuck Metzger, CEO of Hearthside, a provider of healthy snacks and frozen packaged food.

He continued: “Today’s intensive global automation market is highly competitive. We believe Cloud’s continued growth and success as part of Duravant will enable them to continue to innovate, creating new value for global food and CPG brands.”

Earlier this year, Duravant acquired Woodside Electronics Corporation (WECO), a manufacturer of optical colour and defect sorting equipment.