Netstal becomes a member of the Krones Group
Netstal will have a new owner: Krones acquires 100 percent of the Netstal Group from KraussMaffei. The takeover agreement was officially signed on February 6. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of the year. Our customers in all application areas will benefit from the opportunities arising from this change.
We will not have to introduce Krones to our customers in the beverage industry. This may be different for Netstal users and our partners from the thin-wall packaging and medical technology sectors. That is why we are pleased to offer a brief overview of the Krones Group: Krones is the market leader in lines and machines for the production, filling and packaging of beverages and liquid foodstuffs in PET and glass bottles as well as beverage cans. With its products, the German company covers the entire production, filling and packaging process as well as the material flow in the manufacturing plant and integrates the corresponding IT systems. It also carries out complete factory planning projects for the beverage industry. Headquartered in Neutraubling, Bavaria, the company employs around 18,000 people worldwide. Consolidated revenue in 2022 amounted to 4.209 billion euros. Krones AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is currently included in the MDAX share index.
Looking forward to a successful collaboration (from left): Danijela Karelse (CFO Netstal), Renzo Davatz (CEO Netstal), Christoph Klenk (CEO Krones) and Uta Anders (CFO Krones)
The Krones Group stands on an extremely solid economic and technological foundation and can look back on a very successful development over the past decades. We are convinced that Netstal can only benefit from this new foundation in order to achieve the targeted growth in all areas.
“This transaction is a milestone in the long history of Netstal. Krones opens up strategic perspectives that were previously not possible. The potential for more customer benefits and growth in the beverage sector is obvious. The opportunities in the medical and thin-wall packaging applications are equally exciting. It is a pleasure for me to continue the strategic direction we have taken together with Krones to an even greater extent.”
Renzo Davatz, CEO Netstal
Leading solutions for the beverage and packaging industry as well as medical technology
However, major changes can also lead to questions. We would therefore like to emphasize at this point: With Netstal, we will continue to focus on you and your needs. Your personal contacts in sales and service will continue to be available at the headquarters in Näfels and in the subsidiaries. The processing of orders and projects will also not be affected. You will always receive leading technology from us in proven Netstal quality.
Our market orientation will not change. Krones would like to work with us to further develop the Netstal strategy and lead it to success. This applies to all strategic application areas. Netstal will continue to offer leading solutions for the efficient production of PET preforms, beverage closures and thin-wall packaging. In medical technology, Netstal is excellently positioned in high-speed mass applications for laboratory and consumable materials. This market position is to be further strengthened in the future. With its leading injection molding technology for medical applications and thin-wall packaging, Netstal supports Krones’ strategy of diversifying into the medical/pharmaceutical market as well as the food and personal care sectors. Netstal will continue to manage its business independently, benefiting from Krones’ international footprint and economies of scale.
Injection Molding Competence Center Näfels
Despite a challenging environment, we believe we are well equipped for the future. With Netstal, we have a competitive product portfolio and are constantly working on further innovations. Always with the aim of further increasing your added value. Under the umbrella of Krones, we will continue to expand our leading position in the top performance segment. Our headquarters in Näfels will be further developed into an injection molding competence center. This will ensure your supply of innovative injection molding technology and associated services as well as digital enhancements for applications in the top performance segment.
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have on this and other topics.
You can find more information on our leading solutions on the industry pages for preforms, closures, packaging and medical technology.
All information about Krones can be found at www.krones.com.
A story about quality: pipette tips from Hamilton
Hamilton has been producing liquid handling consumables for the global market at its new site in Domat/Ems since 2018. Hamilton relies on Netstal for the efficient production of its precise CO-RE II pipette tips. Satisfaction is not only ensured by the high-precision injection molding machines, but also by the reliable service and partnership-based cooperation.
The new Hamilton building in Domat/Ems makes an impressive impression with its glass facade. Even from the highway, you can see that this is not just an office complex like many others – it is also a production facility. And it is high-tech. Directly behind the glass facade, the Netstal machines are lined up lengthwise on the first floor. A beautiful and high-quality presentation.
Hamilton in Domat/Ems, Canton Graubünden, Switzerland
Hamilton manufactures pipette tips from its CO-RE II range using the all-electric machines in the Elion series. The innovative technology offers maximum precision when picking up and positioning tips. With an extremely robust and airtight lock-and-key mechanism, Hamilton tips are attached to the independent pipetting channels with virtually no effort. The optimum seal enables highly precise and uniform liquid transfer steps. Hamilton’s CO-RE II tips have a fine, thin tip that facilitates the dispensing of micro volumes.
An employee checks the cavities in the injection mold
However, it is not just the tips themselves that have been continuously developed. Hamilton also considers the entire underlying process technology, which is fully automated from the provision of the granulate through to packaging and storage, to be innovative.
"We are absolutely convinced of the high performance and precision of the Netstal injection molding machines. At the same time, we are very satisfied with the partnership-based cooperation and the services provided. If we have a problem, we can always rely on Netstal to work on a quick and optimal solution for us."
Simon Freitag, Plastics Specialist Hamilton Bonaduz AG
Hamilton CO-RE Tip Production in Switzerland, Domat/Ems
Safety and quality go hand in hand
Hamilton manufactures its consumables in an ISO Class 8 clean room that complies with ISO 14644, ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 standards. Hamilton does not rely solely on statistical quality analysis to ensure the highest product quality. Each pipette tip is monitored in the manufacturing process for the concentricity of its opening and the absence of burrs from the casting process. The medically equipped injection molding machines are adjacent to the centrally located clean room. The pipette tips enter the clean room via the removal systems. There, the tips are further processed separately by cavity and their quality is checked in-line. The next step is the packaging process. 96-well tip trays are loaded, packed in blister frame racks and sealed with a paper lid.
96-Well-Tip-Tray mit 300 μL CO-RE® II tips
The sealed blister frame racks are then transported to the fully automated packaging system above the clean room. Blisters and outer cartons are “married” by means of unique coding, so that complete traceability is always guaranteed. The packaging units are then transported on a conveyor belt to the high-bay warehouse, which is 40 meters high and has a capacity of 12,000 pallets.
300 % increase in capacity within 2 years
With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the global demand for consumables exploded to cope with the increased volume of PCR tests performed. At this time, the Hamilton team in Domat/Ems was also under great pressure. Within 2 years, the production capacity for pipette tips was tripled. This was achieved by doubling the number of injection molding lines and production personnel. Netstal was able to contribute to this success. Even in normal times, specially equipped injection molding machines are almost impossible to procure at short notice. At that time, the situation was becoming increasingly difficult due to interrupted supply chains. This is where Netstal’s used machine program came into play. To bridge the delivery time for the new machine ordered, a used rental machine was put into operation in Domat/Ems at short notice. Subsequently, further new machines were sent to Domat/Ems and the USA to produce pipette tips.
At its peak, production in Domat/Ems ran day and night in four shifts, 365 days a year. As demand has now fallen again somewhat, there is a break at weekends. An interruption that would not be necessary from the injection molding machines’ point of view.
About Hamilton
Hamilton Bonaduz AG develops automated pipetting robots for handling a wide variety of liquids. With our sensors, we are also an innovation leader in the field of process analytics. Hamilton Storage GmbH, which belongs to Hamilton Bonaduz AG, is a leading provider of automated sample storage systems for research laboratories, pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostic companies and government institutions.
Hamilton’s products are known for advancing the life science, clinical diagnostics, forensics, biotechnology and biopharma industries, offering reliability, performance and flexibility.
Hamilton utilizes state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Reno, Nevada, and Bonaduz, Switzerland, as part of its ongoing commitment to quality and has achieved global ISO 9001 certification. Hamilton is privately held with headquarters in Reno, Nevada, Franklin, Massachusetts, and Bonaduz, Switzerland, and offices around the world.
Images: Hamilton Company