BAD HOMBURG, GERMANY — HQ Equita has acquired a majority stake in WOLF Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, a manufacturer of vertical form, fill and seal machines for food, industrial goods and chemicals.

The purchase strengthens its investment in packaging that included the 2018 acquisition of a majority stake in FAWEMA and HDG.

In the future, WOLF, FAWEMA and HDG will operate as a group of companies to develop specific packaging solutions for customers. In addition to a joint product development, a sales and service platform will be established for all three companies to advise and support customers worldwide.

The traditional brands WOLF, HDG and FAWEMA will be retained and selected operations strategically reinforced. As a group, the three companies employ over 400 people at 14 locations worldwide in the production, assembly, service and sales of specialized packaging machines for food, chemical products and industrial applications.

Similar to previous investments, HQ Equita is acquiring the majority of the family-owned packaging specialist WOLF from the family and other investors, who will remain shareholders in the company. The transaction closed on Nov. 6.

“We are delighted to have a strong new partner by our side,” said Günter Wolf, managing director and founder of WOLF Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH. “We have found an ideal partner for the company in HQ Equita, to successfully implement the next phase of expansion and internationalization.”

WOLF is a pioneer and specialist in the packaging industry. The machines can pack powdered, pourable, frozen and liquid products, among others, and also are used in particular for snack products. WOLF’s expertise in vertical form, fill and seal machines perfectly complements the product families of HDG and FAWEMA.

Together, the group can offer customers tailor-made solutions for distinctive packaging trends from a single source. This merger also means ideal positioning for new and environmentally friendly alternative packaging materials such as paper and paper laminates.

“The packaging industry is a growth market,” said Florian Wiemken, partner at HQ Equita. “WOLF is optimally positioned with its innovative and high-quality products and services and the state-of-the-art assembly site in China. It will enable us to strengthen our packaging platform and drive the growth and internationalization of our three packaging specialists through promising synergies.”