Pro Mach, Inc. (promachinc.com) has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Ets. André Zalkin & Cie, a leading global capping machinery manufacturer based in France. The completion of the transaction is expected in early 2014, pending antitrust approval. The current Zalkin management team and employees will continue to operate from their facilities in Montreuil L’Argillé and Rueil-Malmaison, France.

Zalkin, founded in 1932, is a leading capping machinery manufacturer with customers worldwide across a wide range of industries including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and industrial products. Zalkin stands out among competitors for its advanced technology and high-speed capping quality and reliability. Zalkin manufactures screw, push-on, and Roll-on Pilfer Proof (ROPP) capping machines, as well as cap sorters, elevators, and decappers. Zalkin produces both standard and highly customized solutions and has developed long-term relationships with many of the world’s leading consumer and industrial brands.

Zalkin has a long-term successful partnership with Fowler Products, a division of Pro Mach, which began more than 40 years ago in 1972. Pro Mach, one of North America’s largest packaging machinery manufacturers, is a single source provider of stand alone and turnkey integrated systems for primary and secondary packaging, flexible packaging, processing, end of line, material handling, and identification and tracking. Pro Mach manufactures and supports more than 20 brands of packaging equipment sold throughout the world. In recent years Pro Mach has increased its focus on markets outside North America, particularly Latin America and Europe. Pro Mach will continue to invest in the Zalkin brand and facilities in France, including completion of an upcoming factory expansion.

“We have a long history and great relationship with the people at Zalkin and we’re excited for them to join the Pro Mach team,” says Mark Anderson, Pro Mach president and CEO. “We’ve enjoyed a great deal of success together during our 40-year partnership and we will continue to invest in and grow the Zalkin brand, team, and product line worldwide. We had the pleasure of working with Michel Zalkin for many years and feel a deep responsibility to continue to lead the company with the same values and principles he instilled in the organization. I firmly believe our most exciting and rewarding years together are still ahead. Zalkin is the ideal partner to support our continued growth outside North America and further strengthen our position as a global leader in packaging solutions.”

“We’re proud of the history and success Zalkin has had from our home here in France,” says Zalkin general manager Michel Marion. “Pro Mach will provide strength, stability, and investment that will allow us to continue to remain a successful French company and continue to grow and provide our customers with outstanding products, service, and support. Our management team is excited to expand our partnership with Pro Mach and we will continue to serve our global customers in the same manner we have in the past.”