Alpha, based in in St. Louis, Missouri, manufactures blow molders for bottles and jars for the food and beverage industry among others.
European growth
The company now has 10 manufacturing facilities, including eight in North America. Its other facility in Europe is in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, which was launched as a greenfield site in 2010.
Jeffrey Kellar, CEO, Alpha said the addition of Etten-Leur expands its capabilities geographically and supports any future European growth.
“The acquisition more than doubles our production capacity on the continent making Alpha one of the largest single stage blow molding operations in Europe,” he said.
Alpha is known in Europe as a packaging supplier for vitamins, minerals & supplements and personal care markets.
AA certificate
The Etten-Leur facility previously received a grade “AA” certification for the BRC-IoP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, which is the highest possible rating for the quality management system for food packaging suppliers.
Kellar added Alpha has a broad portfolio of stock bottles and jars as well as custom bottle design and development. He said brand owners and consumers want diversity in their product options.
Alpha is owned by Irving Place Capital, private equity firm.
Phil Yates, chairman, Alpha and senior advisor, Irving Place Capital, said the acquisition is consistent with its strategy of acquiring successful businesses with complementary customer relationships, product lines, manufacturing technologies and plant locations.
“Alpha has achieved outstanding growth in Europe and we are confident that this will continue with the addition of the Etten-Leur operation,” he added.