In a move designed to assist Oceania customers future-proof their factories, Tetra Pak has bought New Zealand food and beverage processing automation solutions specialist Macro Automation Ltd.
The two companies have worked in partnership for many years, and Tetra Pak says the acquisition adds to its world class automation technologies and enhances its ability to support customers in the region across all food and beverage categories.
Headquartered in Auckland, Macro Automation has established key competencies in process engineering, plant automation and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
Food & Drink Business spoke to Chris Morgan, regional head of Processing Solutions and Equipment at Tetra Pak shortly after the announcement.
Commenting on the reason for the acquisition, Morgan said that although the companies have enjoyed a solid collaborative realtionship for decades, with Industry 4.0 and digitilisation taking off rapidly, this move was strategic to secure Tetra Pak's supply chain in this area of expertise.
“Not only does Macro's knowledge base and expertise complement our existing processing automation capability, but because Macro's team will now be in-house, we can operate completely transparently on projects and work much closer together than was previously possible," Morgan told Food & Drink Business.
While the day-to-day operations for both businesses will not change significantly, Morgan says Tetra Pak will be actively looking to build its expertise in MES solutions with higher levels of digitilisation, like QR code activations on packaging, and track-and-trace in the processing supply chain via the Tetra Pak PlantMaster automation and information platform. Another focus will be stepping up its remote servicing digital capability via the HoloLens platform.
Ross Colville, founder and CEO at Macro Automation said: “We have a strong history of working with Tetra Pak to support its customer offers across liquid dairy, cheese, beverage and powder. By formally combining our industry expertise, we will be able to offer customers in the region a wider range of improved and bespoke solutions and services. We foresee a seamless integration and continued growth going forward.”
Following the acquisition, Macro Automation will continue to service its existing customer base from existing offices in Auckland. All managers and employees will remain with the company.
