Extrusion line manufacturer Reifenhäuser (Troisdorf / Germany; www.reifenhauser.com) has acquired blown films machinery company Kiefel Extrusion (Worms / Germany; www.kiefel-extrusion.com) from Brückner (Siegsdorf / Germany; www.brueckner.com). Terms of the deal, retroactive to 1 January 2009, were not disclosed.

Kiefel Extrusion has about 200 employees and recorded a turnover of approximately EUR 40m in 2008. The company’s blown film extrusion lines and other machinery are used for the production and conversion of flexible films in both the consumer and industrial goods packaging segments.

"Through the joining of our technical competencies at the Troisdorf and Worms sites, we have created the world's largest development and know-how pool in this sector and moved to the top of our market," said Reifenhäuser managing director Ulrich Reifenhäuser. The new business, named Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion, will be headquartered in Worms.

Brückner acquired Kiefel Extrusion in 2007 when it purchased the Kiefel group of companies. Peter Wellenhofer, Brückner’s chairman, said that following the divestment of Kiefel Extrusion, the Kiefel division will focus on thermoforming and welding machines.

Brückner intends to continue its expansion programme through targeted acquisitions. “We specifically see the next one to two years as a favourable period for this objective,” said Maximilian Schneider, Brückner’s MD.