Duravant LLC, a Downers Grove, Illinois, USA-headquartered manufacturer of highly engineered process equipment.to the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors, has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Pattyn Group BV, a designer and maker of automation systems specializing in B2B packaging. The company is recognized as a leader for delivering comprehensive automation solutions and value-added services for bag-in-box packaging applications. It offers complete and fully automated lines to pack frozen fruit, vegetables and other bulk products into lined containers from 5 to 30 kg.
Headquartered in Bruges, Belgium, Pattyn has over 70 years of expertise in machinery design and turnkey systems for counting, weighing, filling, and packing technologies for food, ingredients and various non-food sectors.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Pattyn,” said Mike Kachmer (pictured above), chairman and chief executive officer of Duravant. “The company has a rich history delivering high quality solutions to a global customer base in over 80 countries. Its impressive growth is attributed to an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction and building lasting relationships, which aligns perfectly with Duravant’s dedication to ensuring customer success.”
Pattyn operates out of six specialized manufacturing sites in Belgium, France and Spain, and has sales and service divisions in North America and Asia. Founded by Jean Pattyn in 1952 and expanded through the vision of Paul Pattyn in 1976, the company grew from a local business to a worldwide supplier of packaging automation. Its third generation owners and shareholders, Stan and Lynn Pattyn (pictured below), alongside Chief Operating Officer Benjamin de Chilly, further led the company’s transformation with continuous innovation and development of new packaging technologies, digital offerings, and a service-minded approach from design to installation and complete aftermarket support.
“Pattyn has had a strong track record of solid performance, and we know that our potential to grow faster will happen alongside a strong partner,” said Stan Pattyn. “Through further investments in product development, operational excellence and emerging market expansion, we will not only continue to thrive, but we will be empowered to better serve our customers and partners around the globe. Duravant is the perfect partner for the Pattyn Group and our employees.”
“We are thrilled to join forces with Duravant and collaborate with their family of world-class brands,” said Lynn Pattyn. “Duravant has a leading position across a wide array of end markets, from food and beverage to consumer goods, agriculture and industrial goods, to logistics and e-commerce. Pattyn’s opportunity to expand into new end markets with Duravant is core to our growth vision. But what’s most exciting is that Duravant’s customer-centric culture aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering an excellent customer experience. We share that same DNA.”
The pending aquisition, which remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, is expected to be finalized during the second quarter of 2025. Following the close of the transaction, Pattyn will be a distinct operating company within Duravant’s Packaging Solutions Group. Its management team will continue to oversee operations after the completion of the sale, and Pattyn’s 550 employees will join Duravant’s 3,600-strong workforce around the world.
