Extruder manufacturer Berstorff, Hannover, Germany, acquired the assets of Seide Engineering, Buchholz, Germany, which makes and designs extrusion lines for sheet and film. Berstorff officials highlighted their gain of Seide's technology and manufacturing capacity for roller take-off equipment. Details were not revealed.

Although Berstorff financed the acquisition, it is intended to also help Krauss-Maffei, its sister firm in the Mannesmann Plastics Machinery group, says spokeswoman Petra Rehmet. Berstorff says the acquisition will enable it and Krauss-Maffei, which makes pvc sheet equipment, to better serve the market for thermoformable sheet, among others. At last October's Fakuma exhibition, MPM announced the two firms would work more closely with each other when opportunities arise.

Seide, founded in 1987, has been renamed KMB Seide Technology GmbH and will be run by its founder, Adolph Seide, as well as Berstorff commercial director Bruno Niemeyer. They will be co-directors.