PFM Group

PFM Group is an Italian multinational industrial group focused on packaging and weighing machinery. Its equipment is used primarily in food processing and packaging, while also serving selected non-food applications such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The group’s principal technologies include horizontal flow-wrapping machines, vertical form-fill-seal systems, automatic feeding and handling equipment, and multihead weighing machines. Its product portfolio is intended to cover complete or integrated packaging processes rather than a single machine category. The group’s industrial history is connected to Italianapack, a Vicenza-based producer of horizontal flow-pack machinery founded in 1964 by Fioravanti Pietro. Italianapack was sold to the American FMC Corporation in 1972. After a period of difficulty in the sector, production activity included forced-hot-air rotary ovens, but the company later shifted emphasis back toward flow-pack technology as that format gained wider adoption. PFM’s international development included entry into the United States in 1984, following growth in foreign sales in the preceding year. PFM expanded through acquisitions and the creation of specialist operating companies. In 2001 it acquired a majority interest in BG Pack, a Bergamo-based manufacturer of special packaging machines for recloseable packs. The transaction broadened PFM’s horizontal and vertical packaging capabilities and supported applications requiring ergonomic and easy-opening formats, including cheese packaging. In 2002 PFM acquired a majority interest in MBP, a Mantua-based producer of multihead weighers and vertical packaging machines, thereby adding weighing technology to its offering. The same year, the group obtained UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification for its central Italian headquarters. In 2003 PFM acquired all of SPS Packaging System, the company formerly known as Italianapack. This brought the historical Italianapack business back into the group after its earlier ownership by FMC. SPS focuses on automatic handling and packaging systems for baked goods and biscuits, chocolate bars, and wafers. The broader group arrangement also includes PFM Packaging Machinery in Italy, PFM Ltd in the United Kingdom, PFM Corporation in North America, PFM Germany, BG Pack, MBP, and SPS Italiana Pack Systems. PFmeccanica was established in 2006 as a production center for mechanical components, while PFM Russia was founded in November 2007 as a commercial and logistics base for Eastern European markets. PFM’s machinery is used across dairy, meat, confectionery, bakery, fruit and vegetable, and other food segments, with dairy identified as a particularly significant area. Its non-food applications include pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The group is therefore positioned as a specialist supplier of industrial packaging lines and related automation, combining packaging machinery, weighing, feeding, handling, and mechanical-component capabilities. Publicly available reference material does not provide current financial data, a current executive list, ownership details, or a confirmed corporate website.

PFM Group traces its industrial lineage to Italianapack, founded in Vicenza in 1964 by Fioravanti Pietro to manufacture horizontal flow-pack machines. The company was sold to FMC Corporation of the United States in 1972. Following a period of crisis in the industry, its production activity included forced-hot-air rotary ovens for a number of years. The business later reduced its emphasis on ovens as flow-pack packaging became more established, with the transition toward renewed flow-wrapping activity taking place around 1982. PFM developed an international presence during the 1980s. Foreign sales growth in Europe preceded the company’s arrival in the United States in 1984. This expansion formed the basis for a wider operating structure that later included companies in the United Kingdom, North America, Germany, and Russia alongside its Italian operations. A major phase of diversification began in the early 2000s. In 2001 PFM purchased a majority interest in BG Pack, a Bergamo company specializing in packaging machines for recloseable packs. The acquisition extended PFM’s capabilities in both vertical and horizontal flow-pack applications, with particular relevance to easy-opening and ergonomic formats, including cheese packaging. In 2002 the group obtained UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification for its central Italian headquarters and acquired a majority interest in MBP of Mantua. MBP produced multihead weighing equipment and vertical packaging machines, allowing PFM to enter the weighing segment and develop a more complete packaging offer. In 2003 PFM purchased 100 percent of SPS Packaging System. SPS had previously been known as Italianapack, meaning that the acquisition returned the original business associated with PFM’s historical lineage to the group after its earlier sale to FMC. SPS specialized in automatic handling and packaging machinery for baked goods and biscuits, chocolate bars, and wafers. Its activities complemented PFM’s established flow-wrapping and packaging-machine portfolio. The group continued to develop its industrial structure during the following decade. PFmeccanica was founded in 2006 as a dedicated production center for mechanical components. In November 2007 PFM Russia was established as a commercial and logistics base for Eastern European markets. The group’s arrangement described in the reference material includes the Italian parent company PFM Packaging Machinery, PFM Ltd in the United Kingdom, PFM Corporation in North America, PFM Germany, BG Pack, MBP, SPS Italiana Pack Systems, PFmeccanica, and PFM Russia. PFM’s machinery serves food categories including dairy, meat, confectionery, bakery products, fruit, and vegetables, with dairy described as its most important sector in the available reference. The group also supplies machinery for non-food products, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic goods. Its capabilities encompass approximately 40 models of flow-wrapping and vertical form-fill-seal machines, together with automatic feeding systems and multihead weighers. The resulting business model combines standalone equipment with broader automated packaging lines. Current public reference material confirms the group’s multinational industrial scope but does not establish current ownership, financial performance, named executives, or a current official website.

1. 2007PFM Russia is established

   PFM founded PFM Russia in November as a commercial and logistics base for Eastern Europe.

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2. 2006PFmeccanica is founded

   PFM created PFmeccanica as a production center for mechanical components.

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3. 2003Acquisition of SPS Packaging System

   PFM acquired all of SPS Packaging System, formerly Italianapack.

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4. 2002ISO certification and MBP acquisition

   PFM obtained UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification and acquired a majority interest in MBP.

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5. 2001Majority acquisition of BG Pack

   PFM acquired a majority share in BG Pack to broaden its packaging-machine range.

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6. 1984PFM enters the United States

   PFM established a presence in the United States following increased foreign sales in Europe.

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7. 1982Renewed emphasis on flow-pack technology

   PFM began reducing oven production as flow-pack machinery became more prominent in its business.

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8. 1972Italianapack is sold to FMC Corporation

   The Italianapack business was sold to the American FMC Corporation.

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9. 1964Italianapack is founded

   Fioravanti Pietro founded Italianapack in Vicenza to produce horizontal flow-packaging machines.

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A specialist industrial packaging-equipment group offering integrated machinery for wrapping, weighing, feeding, handling, and automated packaging across food and selected non-food industries.

• Flow-wrapping machinesHorizontal packaging machinery

  PFM designs and manufactures horizontal flow-wrapping equipment for packaging individual products and groups of products in flexible film. The machines are used across food categories such as dairy, meat, confectionery, bakery products, and produce, as well as selected non-food applications. Flow-pack technology is the historical core of the group’s activities and is also incorporated into broader automated lines.

• Vertical form-fill-seal machinesVertical packaging machinery

  PFM’s vertical form-fill-seal systems form packaging from flexible film, fill the package, and seal it in an automated process. The range is complemented by weighing and feeding technologies, making the machines suitable for products requiring controlled dosing or vertical bag production. Applications span food and selected non-food sectors.

• Multihead weighersWeighing machinery

  Multihead weighing equipment forms part of the group’s expanded portfolio following the acquisition of MBP. These systems are designed for automated portion weighing before packaging and can be integrated with vertical packaging machinery and feeding equipment. They support the group’s strategy of supplying coordinated packaging-line components rather than only wrapping machines.

• Automatic feeding and handling systemsPackaging automation

  PFM supplies automatic feeders and handling systems used to organize, transfer, and present products to packaging machines. These systems are relevant to continuous packaging operations and to integrated lines for products such as baked goods, biscuits, confectionery, and other food items. SPS Italiana Pack Systems contributes specialist handling and packaging capabilities.

• Recloseable-pack machinesSpecial packaging machinery

  Through BG Pack, the group offers machinery for special packs incorporating recloseable or easy-opening characteristics. The technology is associated particularly with packaging formats in which consumer convenience and package resealing are important, including cheese applications.

• 2007Establish PFM RussiaStrategy

  PFM sought a regional commercial and logistics base for Eastern European markets.

  What changed. PFM founded PFM Russia in November 2007.

  Aftermath. The company served as a commercial and logistics platform for the group’s Eastern European activities.

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• 2006Create PFmeccanicaStrategy

  The group needed a dedicated production base for mechanical components.

  What changed. PFM founded PFmeccanica as a new mechanical-components production center.

  Aftermath. The new entity strengthened the group’s internal industrial and component-manufacturing structure.

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• 2003Acquire SPS Packaging SystemM&A

  PFM continued consolidating complementary packaging capabilities and reconnected with the business historically known as Italianapack.

  What changed. PFM purchased 100 percent of SPS Packaging System, formerly named Italianapack.

  Aftermath. SPS added automatic handling and packaging systems for baked goods, biscuits, chocolate bars, and wafers.

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• 2002Acquire a majority stake in MBPM&A

  PFM aimed to enter the weighing-machinery segment and complement its existing packaging equipment.

  What changed. PFM acquired a majority share of MBP, a producer of multihead weighers and vertical packaging machines.

  Aftermath. MBP’s technology added multihead weighing and related vertical-packaging capabilities to the group’s offer.

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• 2001Acquire a majority stake in BG PackM&A

  PFM sought to broaden its horizontal and vertical flow-pack capabilities and add specialist machinery for recloseable and easy-opening packaging.

  What changed. PFM acquired a majority share of BG Pack, a Bergamo-based specialist packaging-machinery manufacturer.

  Aftermath. The acquisition expanded the group’s packaging range, including capabilities relevant to cheese packaging.

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• 2007PFM Russia is founded for Eastern European operations

  PFM established PFM Russia in November 2007 as a commercial and logistics base serving Eastern European markets.

  Other
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• 2006PFmeccanica is established as a mechanical-components center

  PFM founded PFmeccanica as a new production center for mechanical components used in its industrial activities.

  Other
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• 2003PFM acquires SPS Packaging System

  PFM acquired all of SPS Packaging System, formerly Italianapack, bringing the historical flow-pack business back into the group.

  M&A
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• 2002PFM enters the weighing-machinery market through MBP acquisition

  PFM acquired a majority share of MBP, adding multihead weighing and vertical packaging equipment to the group portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2002PFM obtains ISO 9001:2000 certification

  The group obtained UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification, described in the reference material as applying to its central Italian headquarters.

  Other
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• 2001PFM acquires majority interest in BG Pack

  PFM acquired a majority share of BG Pack to expand its packaging-machinery range, particularly for recloseable and easy-opening packs.

  M&A
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1. PFM Group