Industry watch

Bemis Co., Inc., signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Food Americas operations of Alcan Packaging, a business unit of Rio Tinto plc. Bemis will acquire 23 Food Americas flexible packaging facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and New Zealand.

Ball Corp. signed a definitive agreement with Anheuser-Busch InBev to acquire AB InBev’s beverage can manufacturing plants in Rome, GA; Columbus, OH; and Ft. Atkinson, WI; and a beverage can end manufacturing plant in Gainesville, FL.

Tempco Electric Heater Corp. received the ISO-9001 Quality Management System Certification.

NatureWorks and Avantium developed a partnership to understand the properties and commercial potential of a new generation of bio-based polymers made from renewable resources.

Metabolix, Inc. announced that Mirel bioplastic resins produced by Telles, its joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland Co., have been certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute.

Intelligrated Inc. completed the purchase of FKI Logistex operations located in North and South America from Melrose plc. Steve Ackerman was appointed executive vice president.

Stäubli Robotics announced a strategic partnership with Rixan Associates, Inc., which will concentrate on co-sales and marketing activities in the central U.S.

JLS Automation acquired Diversified Control Systems’ Robotic Div.

Portola Packaging, Inc. announced it is relocating its Portola Tech manufacturing operations to a new, modern facility located in Cumberland, RI.

PEOPLE

Erik Bronander joined LSI, div. of Pro Mach, as director of sales.

Delkor Systems Inc. hired Glen Long as vice president, sales and service, engineering, and operations.

Beryl Lawrence joined Polypack, Inc. as dairy sector manager.

Bernhard Barta was named vice president of corporate accounts for BluePrint Automation Group.

W. Patrick Grantham joined South Atlantic Packaging as vice president of sales.

Alexis Nys was appointed director of sales—Europe, Middle East, and Africa—for R.A. Jones & Co. Inc., subsidiary of Oystar.

Plexpack Corp. hired David McGurk as director of sales, Damark Shrink Packaging Brand.

Bob Plummer was appointed president and CEO of EnviroPak Corp.

Canada-based BellatRx Inc. added Vince Cascella to its U.S. sales team.

AmbaFlex, Inc. added Terry O’Hearn to its sales team—Packaging Systems.

Bryan Lindquist joined Spartech Corp. as market development manager.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Silgan Containers received the Spirit of Excellence Award from Hormel Foods Corp.

Pregis Corp. was named Vendor of the Year by the Packaging Distributors of America.

Exal Corp. was awarded the Business Innovation of the Year Award by American Business Awards.