The international Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. (IMA Group), headquartered in Bologna, Italy, has acquired the operating business of OYSTAR Group (oystar-group.com), a leading global producer of packaging machines, from private equity firm ODEWALD. In the United States, OYSTAR Group’s subsidiaries – including Benhil, Erca, Gasti, Hamba and Hassia, who together comprise more than 850 employees – are now under the umbrella of IMA Dairy & Food USA, which will continue to be headquartered in Edison, NJ.

IMA Group is a world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tea, coffee and food. The Group has approximately 3,700 employees and 24 production plants in Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, India and China, as well as a global sales and service network. IMA Group is active in more than 80 countries.

Alberto Vacchi, chairman and CEO of IMA Group, says, "With this acquisition, the IMA Group is taking another important step towards the future. The product range of the companies being acquired is complementary to our presence in the food industry and positions us, worldwide, among the most important group leaders in food packaging."

Arnold Lawner, vice president sales, IMA Dairy & Food USA, says, "Our strategy has been and will continue to be to focus and build on our strengths. We know IMA supports our innovative manufacturing capabilities are we look forward to continuing our successful growth path under the umbrella of the IMA Group.”"