Sacmi to expand and reorganize its chocolate division
Current CFO Giovanni Campolungo will head up the Business Unit's General Management team, including Rocco Furone, head of primary packaging sales; and Aldo Abluton, Daniele Manzon, Fabio Frabetti and Gilberto Monaldini.
Chocolate sector
Campolungo said the shake-up lays the foundation for further development of the chocolate sector, which is already the hub of the Group's Food Division.
“For some years now, the chocolate sector - the hub of the Group's Food Division - has been the focus of an ambitious reorganization and expansion plan,” he said.
“It began with the takeover of Carle&Montanari, a company with over a century of experience in modelling technology, and continued with further takeovers and mergers that led to the creation of the first Italian chocolate industry hub.”
He added, in 2016, the Italian chocolate hub generated total sales worth nearly €120m.
IMA and Sacmi signed an agreement in 2011 to take over Carle&Montanari Holding (CMH) then owned by IMA.
The announcement happened after IMA acquired the Dairy division of the Sympak Corazza Group, OPM (100%) and Fima (70%), major players in processing and packaging chocolate.
US market
Sacmi Group previously worked with Milanese firm, Carle&Montanari having been involved in an a plan to transfer its wrapping machines from Bologna to Imola, within Sacmi Packaging in 2008.
At the time, the structure of CMH, including the brands OPM and C&M USA, was to take advantage of any opportunities in the US market.
Pietro Cassani, MD, Sacmi, said at the time, the deal was part of its strategic plan to invest in the packaging sector: initially in the beverage segment, but subsequently in food as well. Many applications (such as palletization, labelling and filling) apply to both areas.
In reorganizing its current chocolate business Filippo Ferrari takes over as MD of CM-OPM. Ferrari previously headed up Sacmi Istanbul branch in developing new markets, fields and industries.
The restructure is part of a wider chocolate processing and packaging plan that sees the Sacmi Group more focused on the development of bakery technology including biscuits and on the parallel growth of all primary and secondary packaging operations.
Interpack
Carle&Montanari recently showcased its technology at Interpack this year including its CM-OPM, Nano Chocoline, a small line for chocolate preparation, for small-medium chocolate manufacturers; a Next Cavemil, chocolate moulding line; and Aerocore piston depositor with “AILP” Always-In-Line-Pistons, for depositing aerated and non-aerated chocolate masses and fat creams.
Another molding development is the Spinning machine for molding hollow figures and big eggs that will be shown in a version for 860 x 406 mm molds.
In the wrapping area, CMFIMA has the S-Pack, a machine for hermetic wrapping of chocolate pieces (Napolitains and small bars) in an envelope-like wrap with single material plus tear tape for easy opening (up to 400ppm).
The design focuses on product protection for a longer shelf-life while maintaining the appearance of a traditional wrap bar.
Also exhibited was CMFIMA’s Sweet Magic W/L, a special application of Sweet Magic, to wrap chocolate pralines in an envelope style with a label on the bottom (up to 300 ppm).
