Bosch to acquire Japanese inspection machine businesses
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- Published on Friday, 10 February 2012 12:04
JAPAN – Bosch Packaging Technology is acquiring the machinery business units of Eisai Co Ltd, one of the leading Japanese pharmaceutical companies based in Tokyo.
Eisai’s machinery companies specialize in inspection machinery for the pharmaceutical industry. In 2010, the companies generated sales of around EUR76 million (¥8.6 billion) with 120 associates worldwide. Eisai machinery business has locations and service centers in Japan (Eisai Machinery Co Ltd), Germany (Eisai Machinery GmbH), North America (Eisai Machinery U.S.A. Inc) and China (Eisai Machinery Shanghai Co Ltd).
The Japanese company's inspection technology is used in the area of liquid pharmaceuticals, for instance with ampoules, pre-filled syringes, infusion bottles or vials, as well as in the production of solid pharmaceuticals such as tablets. In addition, the Eisai machinery companies sell packaging materials for pharmaceutical products, as well as pharmaceutical packaging machines from various manufacturers.
Agreements were signed on 8 February; both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction is subject to compliance with antitrust legislation.
For Bosch, this acquisition will allow the German company to expand its inspection technology product portfolio, from basic inspection solutions to fully automated high-performance systems for all commonly used applications on the market.
Friedbert Klefenz, President of Bosch Packaging Technology, explained, “Eisai and Bosch have been cooperating for years. We have formed a close partnership with Eisai Co., Ltd., both with its pharmaceutical business and its subsidiary Eisai Machinery Co., Ltd., which markets Bosch machines in Japan.”
“We can see excellent growth opportunities,” Klefenz added. “Inspection technology is of prime importance to pharmaceutical manufacturers, because of rising demands on the production and packaging process due to increasing levels of safety requirements worldwide. With this acquisition, we will also further increase our presence in the Japanese market.”
According to Klefenz, Bosch intends to continue pursuing Eisai's machinery established business of selling pharmaceutical packaging machines and materials.
Yasushi Okada, Vice President, Global Machinery Business of Eisai Co Ltd, commented, “We are very certain that the companies will successfully integrate each other's values in harmony. Together, we will produce a great synergy that is essential for continuous delivery of innovative products around the world.”
