Wink acquires FST

Wink is to takeover FST Form- und Stanztechnik GmbH in Simmerath, Germany on 1 November, and intends to make ongoing investments in the site in order to create a Centre of Excellence for cylinders.

Both Wink and FST shareholders are pleased with the takeover

Established in 1988, FST is a specialist in die-cutting technology and manufactures a broad range of solid rotary dies, magnetic cylinders, printing and hot-stamping cylinders, and die-cutting stations.

Once the takeover is complete, Wink intends to concentrate all cylinder production at the Simmerath site. In the medium term, it plans to create a Centre of Excellence for cylinders there. To this end, Wink will make ongoing investments to expand the pool of machinery and staff. This will create additional capacity for the cylinder portfolio and help optimise processes.

For both Wink and FST customers, the takeover will provide access to a wider range of products from a single source. In addition, the capacity expansion and the efficient processes will result in faster lead times and further optimization of quality. Fransz Verbeek, head of Wink product management and future plant manager of the Simmerath site, said: ‘Furthermore, the takeover will help us create completely new possibilities for developing customised designs and special cutting solutions.’

By taking over FST, Wink said it will further strengthen its market position. The acquisition is also part of a strategy for international growth and pushing more heavily into related market segments in addition to the labels market.

Wink managing director Alan de Natris said: ‘Following the successful expansion of our flexible dies department, we now want to strengthen the cylinder department and thus continue our strategy for international growth.

‘In FST, we have found the ideal addition, both in terms of technology and staff. We feel like we have been connected with FST for years already thanks to our various collaborations. We know and respect the staff, their philosophy of customer proximity and the outstanding quality of their products.

‘By combining our expertise, we can take advantage of the decades of experience of both companies, and at the same time, we will be creating the foundation for strengthening our future position in other markets in addition to the labels market.’

A spokesman for FST added: ‘We were very keen to arrange a sound succession plan in good time to make sure FST and its employees remain in good hands. In Wink, we have found the perfect new owner who will be able to safeguard and expand the Simmerath site in the long term.’