Ishida expands African presence with NPS acquisition

Ishida Europe has further strengthened its presence and offering to customers on the African continent with the acquisition of specialist South African packaging equipment manufacturer National Packaging Systems (NPS).

Established in 1983 and based in Pinetown, near Durban, NPS has built a strong reputation for the design and manufacture of high-performance and reliable vertical form, fill and seal machines for sachets, stick packs and pillow packs, as well as volumetric fillers, auger fillers and feed systems.

The company also designs and installs bespoke systems manufactured to customers’ specific requirements. Its customer base is wide-ranging across both food and non-food products including sugar, rice, salt, peanuts, cereals, snacks, sweets, powders, liquids and specialist non-food applications such as firelighters and car components.

The coming together of Ishida and NPS will combine a wide range of technical expertise, applications experience and market knowledge to provide customers with unparalleled levels of support in the development of complete weighing, packing and quality control systems for a wide variety of end-markets, including grains, pulses and all types of granular products.

As well as helping businesses to further increase levels of automation, the new Ishida/NPS partnership will also offer start-up operations the opportunity to take their first steps in automating their processes with the availability of high-quality and cost-effective entry level weighing and packing systems. In addition, all customers will benefit from the highest levels of support, with fast response localised service and rapid spare parts supply.

“We are excited to be become part of Ishida,” commented Russell Gwynn, NPS’s managing director.

“The synergies between the two businesses will enable us to offer an even more comprehensive package to our customers in terms of both equipment and after sales support, providing them with the ability to further grow and expand their business and maximise opportunities in both the home and export markets.”

NPS will continue to trade as a separate business as part of the Ishida group.

“We are delighted to welcome NPS into the Ishida family,” said Dave Tiso, Ishida Europe’s managing director.

“Alongside the company’s extensive complementary range of skills, expertise and equipment, what impressed us about NPS was its commitment to the same values and ethos in terms of delivering a service that is good for our customers, good for our business and good for society. We look forward to working together in the continued growth of both companies.”

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