Gerresheimer expands its US market presence

The Gerresheimer Group has taken over the pharmaceutical business of the Glass Group in the US. The US$20m acquisition includes both the Glass Group's container glass works in Millville, New Jersey, which specialises in pharmaceutical packaging and has sales of around US$55m, and its 45.7% share in the Chinese speciality glass manufacturer Beijing Wheaton. Glass Group was forced to file for protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code in February this year.

Through the acquisition Gerresheimer has expanded its coverage of the US market to the entire pharmaceutical glassware spectrum. In the past it has been strong in the field of tubular glass and pharmaceutical packaging produced from it, but in the field of container glass for pharmaceuticals it has been represented in the US market by only one plant. The new Millville plant has three furnaces and 350 employees producing type I borosilicate glass.

The acquisition of shares in Beijing Wheaton is also of strategic importance, offering 'an excellent starting base to establish a foothold in the Asian market [from which to] rise to become an important player in the region', according to Dr Axel Herberg, ceo and president of the Gerresheimer Group.