Label Giant SIAI Industrial Acquires Aoti Technology For 220 Million Yuan

At the beginning of 2026, the global packaging and labeling industry has witnessed a sweeping wave of consolidation. From the core components of automotive airbags, to Europe's precise folding carton production lines, to the critical anilox roller technology in printing, a series of cross-border acquisitions have emerged one after another. These moves not only represent the flow of capital but also signal that the global supply chain is undergoing a profound restructuring and transformation.

A new leader emerges in the automotive safety sector

CCL Industries invests $32 million

Global labeling and packaging giant CCL Industries has officially announced that it has reached a final agreement to acquire Advanced Safety Technologies and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Autitech) in an all-cash, debt-free transaction valued at approximately $32 million (about RMB 220 million). The deal is currently awaiting final regulatory approval and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.

For Sifan Industrial, this is more than just a simple expansion in scale. CEO and President Jeffrey Martin admitted that the company has had a deep relationship with the management team of Auti for over 25 years, witnessing firsthand how it gradually grew into a leading global enterprise in the airbag industry. After the completion of this acquisition, Sifan Industrial will establish a new "Automotive Safety Division" within its CCL Design business unit.

Auti's technological capabilities should not be underestimated. As a veteran company operating for over 20 years, it focuses on producing precision components required in harsh environments for the automotive and industrial sectors, including airbag covers, packaging seals, durable labels, adhesive functional parts, as well as flexible circuits and electromagnetic interference shielding solutions.

Notably, Auti has production bases in China, the Netherlands, Romania, and Mexico, aligning its global layout closely with China's vast new energy vehicle market. By the end of November 2025, Auti's annual sales had reached $67 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin as high as 11.3%, demonstrating strong profitability and market resilience.

Auti Industrial Components (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Auti China), located in the Jiading Industrial Park in Shanghai, is a European-backed company specializing in high-quality industrial components and printing solutions for the automotive and home appliance industries. It is one of the internationally leading enterprises in the printing and functional components sector, committed to global development and technology innovation.

Auti CEO Jean-Luc Weerstraaten expressed great anticipation over this "marriage into a major group," believing that Sifan Industrial's global resources will bring longer-term growth momentum to Auti. Before the official handover, Auti's operations will remain independent. This move sends a clear signal to the outside world: precision manufacturing in automotive safety is becoming a new blue ocean for packaging giants seeking cross-industry expansion.

Expansion of Multinational Footprint

Grenadier Packaging Moves into the Heart of Europe

In the field of folding carton packaging, Grenadier Packaging has also been very active. Recently, the company announced the formal acquisition of the MM Packaging Leeuwarden plant in the Netherlands from Mayr-Melnhof Karton. Although the exact amount has not been disclosed, this is Grenadier Packaging's sixth major deal to date.

MM Packaging Leeuwarden enjoys a strong reputation in the European market, with 52 experienced employees and well-established supply relationships with both Dutch and broader European clients. Grenadier Packaging co-managing director Aidan Cahill pointed out that this acquisition is a "well-considered move" to expand the company's footprint beyond the UK. By taking over this Dutch factory, Grenadier will be able to serve European mainland clients more closely and build a more resilient and diversified packaging group.

To ensure a smooth transition, Joint Managing Director Ross Diamond has committed to maintaining the factory's existing operations, management, and supplier arrangements, with all employees staying on board. This strategy of 'respecting the status quo and investing for the long term' not only reassures employees and unions but also gives a boost to customers. Against the backdrop of increasing global supply chain uncertainty, Grenadier's horizontal integration strategy aims to mitigate the impact of market fluctuations through regional positioning.

Precision Printing Technology Upgrade

Deweiller Teams Up with Cheshire to Impact the Global Market

In the field of printing equipment and consumables, a strong alliance centered on 'precision' has begun. The globally renowned Deweiller Group has officially acquired top-notch anilox roller supplier Cheshire Anilox Technology. After the acquisition, Cheshire will operate as an independent company under the group and continue implementing its growth strategy.

This merger is seen by the industry as 'the golden combination for flexible packaging printing.' Swisstec, under Deweiller, is renowned worldwide for its doctor blades, while Rotoflex has deep expertise in inks and coatings. With the addition of Cheshire's anilox roller technology, Deweiller has successfully completed the core map of its printing capabilities. Cheshire General Manager Sonia Arcos expressed excitement that, by joining Deweiller's global sales network, the company will not only deepen its presence in the UK and European markets but also plans to use its expertise to establish a production line in the United States.

Cheshire's confidence stems from a recent major investment-the installation of the UK's first UniCoat 3 Plasma Triplex System, the latest generation thermal spray controller from Oerlikon Metco. This cutting-edge technology greatly enhances the accuracy and durability of engraved roller coatings through advanced algorithms and real-time monitoring. Production Director Phil Smith revealed that this system gives operators unprecedented control, ensuring that every engraved roller achieves industry-leading performance.

Ralph Dähneler, CEO of the Dähneler Group, summarized that this acquisition represents a further elevation of the company's understanding of processes. In the future printing market, those who can offer more stable processes and higher-quality coatings will command the industry's discourse.

Although these three acquisitions belong to different niche sectors, they all point to a common industry trend: group operations, global expansion, and technological perfection.

For Chinese companies, Sī Aì Industrial's acquisition of Aoti reminds us to focus on the localization and integration opportunities for high-end components in the automotive supply chain; Grenadier's expansion path offers insights into how packaging companies can achieve regional resilience through overseas acquisitions; while the combination of Dähneler and Cheshire demonstrates how the manufacturing industry can provide one-stop solutions through technological integration.

In this era where standing still means falling behind, global industrial giants are building robust moats for the next decade of competition through precise capital operations. For every professional involved, understanding the logic behind these changes may be more important than simply keeping your head down and moving forward.