Premier Tech
Among the largest packaging equipment manufacturers in the world, Premier Tech is committed to creating sustainable solutions that help improve the efficiency of manufacturing facilities in the nutrition, industrial, agricultural and organics market sectors. We offer a wide range of solutions, ranging from weighing, feeding, bagging, case packing all the way through palletizing and load securing. While being a global company, Premier Tech believes the true value of our worldwide presence rests in the deep roots its teams have established locally. Being local translates into tailored offers, but most importantly, custom support throughout the life cycle of their products. Our programs provide the most valuable lifecycle services in the industry, focusing on critical areas such as 24/7 technical support, spare parts, field service, training, system assessments and optimization, and remote connectivity.
Company details
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- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Packaging
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Employees:
- Over 1000
Corporate Presentation
Premier Tech (PT) is among the largest packaging equipment manufacturers in the world and well-known in the flexible and the rigid packaging industries for its state-of-the-art packaging machines and its complete packaging lines for small- and large-scale production. Its wide product portfolio includes solutions such as bagging scales and feeders, bagging machines, case packing machines, robotic and conventional palletizers, stretch wrappers, stretch hooders, conveyors, etc. Moreover, PT also offers bulk processing solutions as well as peat moss field equipment, including screening systems, mixing lines, harrows, vacuum harvesters, etc.
At PT, people are driven by customer satisfaction. The entire team is dedicated to supporting the growth of its customers by putting their interests at the heart of daily decisions. Innovation is also a major focus for the company. In the last 25 years, the company has developed and acquired several state-of-the art technologies that are still in the lead today. With many more to come, our prime objective is to continue to meet your needs in the most creative way.
History
Premier Tech was born in 1989 to satisfy a need for automation at Tourbières Premier (now Premier Tech Horticulture, PT’s sister company). PT started out as the company’s engineering department, manufacturing equipment to support internal technological needs. PT soon decided to sell its equipment outside the company and became an international leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of state-of-the-art industrial equipment. Mostly involved in the organic industry at the beginning of the 1990s, PT quickly expanded into non-organic markets through its extensive IR&D programs and the acquisition of Chronos Richardson Systems. By adding this 125-year-old German company to its team, PT paved the way for major growth in the food, chemical and mineral industries while complementing its product lines with new packaging technologies. With its wide range of products and innovative solutions tailored to its customers’ specific needs, PT is now an international leader in the field of industrial flexible and rigid packaging equipment.
Acquisitions
The 14 acquisitions Premier Tech has made for Premier Tech (PT) in less than 20 years fall within one of the company’s strategic initiatives. Acquisitions have been Premier Tech’s dominant growth factor over the past 25 years.
1995 - Acquisition of Les Équipements Tardif
The acquisition of this supplier gave PT extended production and sales capacity. It also allowed for the launch of the Starscreener in partnership with Erin Screen Systems, an Ireland-based company specializing in screening systems.
1997 - Acquisition of Erin Screen Systems
Two years after the signing of a strategic alliance between PT and Erin Screen Systems, the parties began talks that would lead to a purchase offer from Premier Tech.
1999 - Acquisition of W.G. Durant
Always striving to fill the gaps in its product portfolio, PT took the opportunity to enter the world of valve bagging equipment during the summer of 1999. This transaction allowed PT to penetrate new industries and markets.
2000 - Acquisition of B.A.G. Equip
Following the acquisition of a series of valve bagging equipment manufacturers, the natural move for PT was to bring on board a line of FIBC filling equipment and further broaden its offer.
2002 - Acquisition of Richard Simon
PT enhanced its system integration capabilities by adding Nottingham-based Richard Simon to its team. The 125-year-old company joined PT’s ranks in April 2002.
2002 - Acquisition of Chronos Holdings Ltd. (Chronos Richardson)
Chronos Richardson specializes mainly in bagging systems and equipment for powdery and granular products. Its product lines include weighing systems, open-mouth and valve bagging systems, as well as palletizing systems.
2006 - Acquisition of Les Machineries Verville
PT broadened its offer with the acquisition of this company specializing in industrial flexible packaging equipment for organic materials.
2008 - Acquisition of GescoFAB
GescoFAB Ltd. is mostly renowned for the design, manufacturing and installation of high-performance conveyor systems that are adapted to its customers’ needs.
2009 - Acquisition of the bagging equipment division at Graphic Packaging
STONEPAK, Premier Tech’s new valve packers line, is born from the acquisition of the bagging equipment division at Graphic Packaging International, Inc. STONEPAK will continue the tradition that has been passed down through Bates, St. Regis Bates, Stone Container, Smurfit-Stone, Altivity and Graphic Packaging.
2009 - Acquisition of BTH BV
Premier Tech acquired BTH BV, an innovative market leader in the packaging industry located in the Netherlands. It is merged with Chronos Richardson, creating a team of specialists and experts with considerable industrial know-how. Chronos Richardson and BTH now operate under the name Premier Tech in Europe.
2010 - Acquisition of Forberg’s intellectual properties
Premier Tech acquired the commercial and technological assets of the mineral wool bagging division of Forberg, the insulation industry’s leader in Europe. PT thus strengthened its position as the packaging equipment leader in the field of insulation products.
2012 - Acquisition of vonGAL Corporation
Premier Tech acquired the vonGAL Corporation in June 2012. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. vonGAL stands in the top three for conventional palletizing systems for unit loads, catering mainly to the rigid packaging market in America.
2015 - Acquisition of Almeida Martins
Premier Tech acquired Almeida Martins in 2015. Founded in 1993, the Brazilian company is known for the design and manufacture of high-performance packaging and material handling equipment. The products manufactured by Almeida Martins consisted mainly of robotic palletizers, robotic case packers, and pick and place robots, as well as conveying and sorting systems.
Values
Safety as a value
Premier Tech believes that its team members are the most valuable resource it can rely on. Accordingly, Premier Tech has taken a series of measures that support daily work towards eliminating the risk of accidents on its production sites. These measures include lockout procedures, workplace inspections, first aid training, mandatory protective equipment, restricted plant access, and emergency plans. Each plant can also count on both a joint committee and a specific team dedicated to occupational health and safety.
A constant concern
The equipment manufactured by Premier Tech is extremely safe. At all stages of product development, the safety of team members, customers, and all people who have access to the equipment remains Premier Tech's primary concern: at the design stage (reducing the risk of hazards), during equipment commissioning, and throughout the entire service life of the equipment (rigorous maintenance and service). Premier Tech’s compliance with the strictest international regulations and desire to eliminate industrial accidents has earned the trust of both customers and their communities.
One step ahead
With regard to safety, Premier Tech consolidates its position as a leader in the field of industrial packaging. In addition to offering its customers the possibility to consult with occupational health and safety specialists, Premier Tech carries out a series of measures that exceed the established standards:
- Performing risk analyses right from the design stage
- Providing more reliable guards, electrical circuits, and safety control devices
- Using safety pictograms on the equipment
- Providing state-of-the-art safety components (programmable safety relays, system for position and speed check of robots, etc.)
- Offering the possibility to bleed and lock out all power sources in order to allow safe access to the machines
- Integrating occupational health and safety measures into the equipment literature
Innovation
Out to innovate everywhere, at all times
Since the beginning, the experienced and dynamic team of engineers at Premier Tech has diligently used the “art of listening” as one of the most powerful tools in developing its technologies to the fullest. Listening to the customers and asking questions has provided Premier Tech with the end results of what needed to be accomplished in order to conquer various targeted markets within its three business segments (flexible packaging; rigid packaging; bulk processing and field equipment).
At Premier Tech, Innovation, Research, and Development (IR&D) programs contribute to developing brand new technologies and new product options or features and to performing continuous improvement on the existing product lines. These programs provide Premier Tech with the opportunity to “think outside the box” and launch many more innovative products in the marketplace. Most IR&D projects are carried out through a partnership with a customer, thus allowing for the installation of the new technologies inside a real production environment. This facilitates all of the steps towards the maturity of the new equipment and its worldwide marketing.
At Premier Tech, we thrive on innovation. In the past ten years, the company has brought to the industry many leading-edge technologies that are still ahead in the market today. In Premier Tech's vision, more innovations are scheduled to arise in the coming years and change the way you look at packaging.
Sustainability
At Premier Tech, sustainable development is a constant concern. We believe that the preservation and intelligent use of natural resources are social responsibilities that every corporate citizen should assume.
This is why sustainability is an everyday issue in all of Premier Tech’s activities. The company has taken eco-friendly measures with regard to its manufacturing processes, power consumption, and raw material management.
IR&D investments
- Every year, over 5% of Premier Tech’s sales are reinvested in Innovation, Research and Development (IR&D). This has allowed Premier Tech to design new products and achieve many technological advances. In the last few years, the company’s efforts have been focused on developing innovative, eco-friendly technologies. For example, Premier Tech designed packaging systems that use thinner plastic film or bags, thus allowing customers to gain a competitive edge while reducing their consumption of packaging materials.
Lean approach
- Premier Tech has implemented Lean Manufacturing in all of its plants. This production practice reduces costs and manufacturing time in addition to eliminating most non-value-added operations. It also reduces the movements of both parts and team members to a minimum. In addition, Premier Tech minimizes the use of both electric and propane lift trucks and additional lifting equipment such as bridge cranes.
- Premier Tech has adopted state-of-the-art Lean Design techniques that reduce to a minimum the number of parts needed to assemble the equipment. These techniques also favor bolted assemblies, thus reducing welding operations. This sustainable approach has allowed Premier Tech to significantly improve its team members’ work environment by lowering emissions of dust and welding gas. In addition, the manufacturing process uses less electrical power.
- Premier Tech has modernized its manufacturing lines through the acquisition of a sheet metal cell featuring a laser cutting table and a CNC press brake. This cell has allowed Premier Tech to optimize its steel consumption and thus improve the quality of its parts and equipment while reducing the risk of accidents resulting from handling heavy or cumbersome parts.
Reduction of equipment’s power consumption
- Use of pneumatic and electrical circuits that require a minimal amount of compressed air and electrical power
- Equipment switches to a low-power sleep mode during periods of extended inactivity
Plants and buildings
- Batteries, copper, paint containers and steel waste are recovered
- Waste heat from compressors is captured and reused in order to reduce power consumption in the plants
- Paper and cardboard packaging is recycled
- Waste liquid is recovered
- Facilities are built in accordance with the principles of energy efficiency (e.g.: installing light control systems)
By taking these small day-to-day steps and promoting eco-friendly initiatives, Premier Tech contributes to the global movement towards a greener economy and, accordingly, to the well-being of current and future generations.
Premier Tech regards sustainable development not only as a fundamental social responsibility, but also as an opportunity to consolidate its leadership and develop the technologies of the future. The company’s environmental awareness prompts it to reduce its ecological footprint while constantly improving its efficiency, creativity and competitiveness. In other words, the green actions taken by Premier Tech contribute to achieving sustainable development both within the company and in the communities in which it operates.
International Presence
A local partner with a global reach
The international presence of Premier Tech spans over 50 countries. With the acquisition of Chronos Richardson in 2002, PT has become one of the largest manufacturers of industrial packaging equipment in the world.
Brands
Premier Tech is the brand used by Premier Tech to market its state-of-the-art industrial equipment. Premier Tech's main focus is on the flexible packaging industry and the rigid packaging industry, as well as providing bulk processing and field equipment for peat moss producers. Equipment for each of these industries is supported by dedicated engineering teams, which allows Premier Tech to develop unique solutions that meet the distinct needs of a wide variety of markets.
Throughout the years, Premier Tech has made several acquisitions to broaden its product portfolio, and now provides all customers with a comprehensive range of innovative and adapted technologies. Along with multiple innovations developed within the last decade, these strategic acquisitions have helped Premier Tech to be recognized worldwide as a leader in its fields of expertise. Premier Tech offers complete after-sales service and original parts for these acquired brands.
