Massman Automation Designs, LLC Expands


Packaging leader acquires Applied Automation, plans to expand markets

Villard Minn. - (August 16, 2005) - Massman Automation Designs announces the acquisition of Applied Automation, located in St. Paul, MN. Annual sales of the combined companies are expected to exceed $10 million. The former Applied Automation will now operate as Massman Engineering LLC, a division of Massman Automation Designs LLC. Applied Automation had previously acquired the assets of Midmac Systems, a well-known producer of automation for the oil, water, and air filters industries.

Both companies were purchased earlier this year by Jeff Bigger, now president of Massman Automation Designs. "The combination of these two organizations will provide a large, stable platform for accelerated growth," says Bigger. "We see excellent opportunities for synergy between the organizations and will continue to expand the three separate markets that the two companies served separately prior to this acquisition."

In addition to filter assembly automation, the Massman Engineering division will continue to provide automation solutions for its current markets including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, in addition to vial and roller bottle handling.

Massman Automation Designs, a leader in the production of packaging machinery including case packers, palletizers, and material handling equipment, will continue to focus on food and consumer product packaging systems.

President and owner Jeff Bigger graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in engineering and worked in manufacturing management and operational consulting at IBM and Anderson Consulting. He then worked extensively in the packaging machinery industry, first as VP of Operations at Douglas Machine for five years, then at Brenton Engineering, where he was president for six years. At Brenton, Bigger oversaw several acquisitions and significant technology initiatives, resulting in substantial increases in revenues and earnings.

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