Australian food processing and packaging supplier tna Solutions has acquired NID, an Australian starch moulding equipment manufacturer, moving tna one step closer to being a leading single-source supplier for the confectionery industry.
 
Alf Taylor, ceo and co-founder of tna, described the acquisition as a “perfect fit,” pointing to both companies’ history of family ownership and passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.
 
“We’re very honored that this great Australian success story has now become part of our own story and are thrilled to be able to welcome the entire NID team into the tna group,” he says.
 
Founded by Hans Arthur Faerber in Sydney in 1952, NID was the first company worldwide to patent the current form of tray stacking on a starch mogul. Faerber’s innovations were capable of speeds that had been unprecedented in the industry up to that point. Since then, NID has proven itself in starch moulding machinery and ancillary equipment, with more than 600 NID moguls installed across the globe.
 
NID’s latest generation of the high-speed M3000 mogul is the result of more than six decades of innovation and development. It’s capable of production speeds of up to 35 trays per minute. Accommodating a wide range of depositing pumps, the M3000 is a fully integrated solution that is suitable for gums, jellies, marshmallows, fondant creams, licorice and crusted liqueur.
 
Effective today, the acquisition includes integrating all of NID’s staff into the tna group. It follows the acquisition of Unique Solutions, an inserting and labelling equipment supplier, and food processing specialist Florigo in 2015.
 
“The integration of NID into the tna family is excellent news for our customers around the world,” says Esther Faerber, NID chairman and daughter of the late Hans Arthur Faerber. “tna’s extensive resources, including its experienced sales and service team, multiple manufacturing sites and well-established global distribution network will enable us to better service our existing customers by reducing lead times and accelerating time to market. 
 
“It’s a great opportunity for both companies and I’m sure that our shared commitment to engineering excellence and continuous research and development will provide a fantastic basis for the production of market-leading designs that will continue to ‘break the mould’s’,” she adds.
 
Bob Fritz, tna chief business development officer, says the company, which offers complete production lines for French fry and potato chip industry, hopes to provide similar solutions to the confectionery industry.
 
“Expanding our services and products to more industry segments like confectionery forms a key element of our business strategy, and NID was the obvious choice when it came to finding a company that would enable us to further grow our portfolio,” he says. “All of NID’s equipment is based on the same concept of mechanical simplicity and accessibility as our own technology. This ensures food manufacturers benefit from the highest level of equipment reliability, ultimate ease of use and complete investment security.”