Bosch plans acquisition of Kliklok-Woodman Corp.

Global expansion of packaging machinery business

22 September 2015

• „  Kliklok-Woodman develops, manufactures and sells secondary packaging machinery and vertical form, fill, and seal machines for the food industry
• „  U.S.-based company will support Bosch’s growth strategy in North America, Europe and other regions
• „  Planned acquisition is latest in a series of deliberate steps to expand process and packaging technology portfolio

Bosch Packaging Technology, a leading supplier of process and packaging technology, is planning to acquire Kliklok-Woodman Corporation, based in Decatur, Georgia, U.S.A. Agreements to this effect were signed on 21 September 2015. Kliklok- Woodman is a globally recognised manufacturer of packaging machinery for the food industry.

The company employs some 240 associates and supplies customers worldwide from its U.S. headquarters and a second manufacturing facility, Kliklok International Ltd. located in Bristol, United Kingdom. In 2014, it generated sales revenue of approx. 65 million USD (49 million euros). It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed and the acquisition is subject to the approval of antitrust authorities.

More than 60 years’ experience in the packaging industry

Friedbert Klefenz, president of the Bosch Packaging Technology division, said: “This planned acquisition will further extend Bosch Packaging Technology’s position in the food and confectionery industry. Above all, it will enhance our system capabilities as a single-source supplier.”

Kliklok-Woodman has more than 60 years of experience in the packaging of goods such as pastries and confectionery, frozen food, and dairy products. The company focuses mainly on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of secondary packaging machinery such as end-load cartoners and top-load erectors and closers, and of primary packaging machinery such as vertical form, fill, and seal machines.

Bill Crist, CEO of Kliklok-Woodman, said: “This is great news for our customers, especially those with growing global operations, those who value single source systems responsibility, and those who desire variety in their flexible packaging formats. We are proud of this strategic change, which has the potential to provide our successful, international associate team with further opportunities and aligns with the core values and reputation we have built over 60 years.”

Expansion of global market presence in food sector

In particular, Kliklok-Woodman’s range of secondary packaging machinery will complement Bosch Packaging Technology’s portfolio for the food and confectionery industry. “Kliklok-Woodman will help boost Bosch’s presence in this market, and the acquisition is an important step on the road to fulfilling our PA 2020 growth strategy,” Klefenz adds. The expansion of market share, particularly in growth regions, the development of new business fields, and the enlargement of the portfolio to enter new segments of the food industry are central to this strategy.

In recent years, Bosch Packaging Technology has made a number of acquisitions to strengthen its worldwide market presence and extend its product portfolio. The planned acquisition of Kliklok-Woodman follows the purchase of Ampack (Germany) in 2012 and Osgood Industries (USA) in 2015. In the former case, Bosch Packaging Technology extended its product portfolio to include cup- and bottle-filling machines for liquid food products, while in the latter it strengthened its market presence in the U.S. food packaging industry.

Press photos: 1-PA-21592; 1-PA-21593; 1-PA-21578 

Contact for press enquiries:           

Rianne Ojeh, phone: 01895 838822      

Notes to editors:         

After having established a regional presence in 1898 in the UK, the Bosch Group employs more than 5,100 associates across 41 locations as per April 2015. In 2014, Bosch UK generated consolidated sales of £1.9 billion (2.6 billion euros)*. For more information, visit www.bosch.co.uk

Based in Waiblingen near Stuttgart, Germany, and employing 6,100 associates, the Bosch Packaging Technology division is one of the leading suppliers of process and packaging technology. At over 30 locations in more than 15 countries worldwide, a highly-qualified workforce develops and produces complete solutions for the pharmaceuticals, food, and confectionery industries. These solutions are complemented by a comprehensive after-sales service portfolio. A global service and sales network provides customers with local points of contact. Additional information is available online at www.boschpackaging.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 360,000 associates worldwide (as per April 1, 2015). The company generated sales of 49 billion euros in 2014.* Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology.

The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including its sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2014, Bosch applied for some 4,600 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.”

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.co.uk, www.bosch-press.com

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*The sales figure disclosed for 2014 does not include the former joint ventures BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH (now BSH Hausgeräte GmbH) and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (now Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH), which have since been taken over completely.