Gerresheimer Group (Düsseldorf / Germany; www.gerresheimer.de) has confirmed plans to take over the Wilden Group (Regensburg / Germany; www.wilden.com). In November, it informed the German federal cartel authority that it intended to "indirectly acquire sole control" over the Regensburg injection moulder. Plans are to finance the transaction through loans of around EUR 300m. Wilden marketing manager Karin Strasser confirmed to Plasteurope.com that the group is "examining the possibility of cooperating with Gerresheimer." Further details are to be provided when negotiations are concluded at the end of the first week in January 2007.

In the past, Gerresheimer has been active mainly in the glass sector. The takeover of Wilden would allow it to expand significantly, both as a plastics converter and as a producer of technical medical products. At the end of 2005, the Düsseldorf group acquired Superfos Pharma (Vaerloese / Denmark) and merged Superfos Packaging (Vipperod / Denmark; www.superfos.com) with its existing plastics activities. In October of this year, it hinted at plans for an acquisition to further "strengthen its market position as a top supplier to the pharmaceutical industry." In this segment, Strasser said Gerresheimer would be an "ideal partner."

Aside from the fact that the two businesses could be a good fit, one of the reasons for Wilden´s willingness to be taken over could be that the family-owned business does not have an "heir apparent," observers say. The injection moulder claims to be well situated financially. For 2006 it expects sales of around EUR 240m (EUR 200m in 2005). Although the Medical Plastic Systems business line may be the healthiest, Strasser said Technical Plastic Systems and Consumer Health Care & Cosmetics also will contribute to growth this year.