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Italian machinery manufacturer Aetna Group has bought rival stretch-wrapping supplier Prasmatic for an undisclosed sum, Packaging News can reveal.

Aetna, which manufactures stretch wrapping, shrink bundling, carton wraparound machines and systems, said the acquisition of the Bologna-based firm will enable it to broaden its reach into the food, dairy and healthcare sectors – areas in which Prasmatic has strong credentials.

The deal does not yet affect Aetna’s wholly-owned subsidiary Aetna UK, which has operated in the UK for 20 years and employs 20 staff, but is likely to enable the business to build its customer base.

Colin Barker, the UK business’s general manager, told Packaging News that Prismatic’s markets are more prominent overseas than in the UK but added that Aetna would be looking at how to promote Prasmatic’s machines in the UK marketplace.

Prasmatic’s founder Mario Orsi will remain at the helm of the group.

Aetna’s machinery brands include Robopac, a range of vertical and horizontal stretch-wrapping and taping machines; Robopac Sistemi, automatic vertical and horizontal stretch-wrapping machines and end-of-line automation systems; and Dimac, a range of shrink-bundling and packaging machines aimed at the beverage market.

In a statement, Aetna said that the acquisition would enable it to expand further into the food and dairy markets – which it "marginally penetrated" with its Dimac brand.

Prasmatic’s clients include Nestlé, Kraft, Danone, Unilever, Lactalis and Arla foods.