ERC Machinery has taken over the activities of - bankrupt - Propak, both parties announced today. “For us, the activities and products of Propak are a nice supplement to ours,” states Gerard van der Knijff, manager of ERC Machinery. “Propak has been a well-known name on the market throughout the years. We expect to give this, with the service and presence of ERC on the market, a further boost. Because of the overlap of customer portfolios, the acquisition by ERC is a reinforcement. We expect existing Propak customers will be able to move forward through a number of developments within ERC. We are happy to be able to offer this perspective to Propak customers. Through concentration of strengths we will create a win-win situation for them and us.”
“ERC has lawfully agreed with the official receiver to continue with both the name Propak and the machines and developments. The objective is to also bring some of the employees into the new setting,” Van der Knijff says. The Geldermalsen site is closing. ERC is taking over the stock of materials, spare parts and intellectual property. John Kirpenstein, who has been the face of Propak to insiders for decades, will continue to be active in his familiar sales role for ERC. Spare parts, service etc will be provided by the experienced international team of ERC from now. Goal is better and faster service for existing machines, according to Van der Knijff.
“There was much fragmentation and competition with nearly identical machines from different suppliers. The market profits from unity and clarity. Especially now that projects are becoming larger and more complex. Additionally, besides the current developments with the optic sorter of ERC, it is an extra opportunity to further build the organisation towards becoming a specialist regarding onion processing,” says Rutger Keurhorst from ERC. In the coming period ERC will make contact with dealers and resellers of Propak. All existing customers of Propak will soon receive information about how business will be conducted. Furthermore, the machine builder form Emmeloord wants to pick up and settle current projects and orders. “The Propak machine pack is being thoroughly looked at, and, if needed, modernised, improved and completed.”
For more information:
Gerard van der Knijff
ERC Machinery
Tel: +31 (0)527 256 130
info@ercmachinery.nl
www.ercmachinery.nl