ATS Corporation, an automation solutions provider, said it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Paxiom Group, a provider of primary, secondary, and end-of-line packaging machines in the food and beverage, cannabis, and pharmaceutical industries.
“With a dynamic product mix and a growing global footprint, Paxiom will be a great addition to ATS,” said Andrew Hider, Chief Executive Officer of ATS Corporation. “As we seek to expand our presence in regulated markets, such as food and beverage and life sciences, the strong reputation and sophisticated offerings that Paxiom brings to market will provide both organic and synergistic opportunities for growth with an accretive margin profile.”
With headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, the group includes its companies WeighPack Systems, EndFlex, Valtara and Kang-Di. With manufacturing facilities in: Montreal, Quebec; Miami, Florida; Schio, Italy and Shanghai, China as well as an integration center and showroom in Las Vegas, NV, Paxiom will join ATS’ Products and Food Technology business.
Paxiom has been building automated packaging solutions for more than 30 years, providing a product line that includes precision weigh filling, bagging, wrapping, labelling, conveyors, case forming, robotic case packing and end of line palletizing equipment that will complement ATS’ businesses CFT, Raytec, Marco, IWK, and NCC and allows ATS to offer complete packaging and end-of-line solutions.
In its calendar year ended December 31, 2023, Paxiom generated revenues of approximately $67 million, with the majority of revenues being generated in North America. Paxiom employs approximately 200 people and has a strong customer portfolio representing companies in multiple sectors.
“Paxiom’s differentiated solutions in filling, wrapping, sealing, labelling and palletizing across a range of industries will be a strong complement to our existing ATS portfolio,” said Jeremy Patten, President of ATS Products & Food Technology. “As we continue to expand our value proposition to customers across the markets we serve, the addition of Paxiom to ATS is highly complementary and will bring meaningful expansion to how we can support our customers.”
The purchase price represented an EV/EBITDA multiple accretive to ATS’ current trading multiple, however, specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. ATS plans to fund the acquisition with cash and by drawing on its revolving credit facility.
