JBT and Alco join hands

As of July 1st, JBT, a leading producer of additional food processing solutions and production lines for the high-value divisions of the food and beverage industry, said it has acquired Alco-food-machines GmbH & Co. KG (alco).

Anders Lassing, President of Protein EMEA has remarked how Alco has been a successful family business that has earned a well deserved reputation for providing the best processing technology solutions. The collaboration will indeed be extremely beneficial for JBT since higher numbers lead to stronger foundations. 

According to Bob Petrie, EVP and President, Protein, the purchase of alco complements and increases our product portfolio in further processing, in particular, increasing our offering in convenience meal lines as well as alternative and plant-based protein technology. By combining our businesses and technology, we can better serve our clients and realize our mission of becoming their go-to solutions partner, supported by unmatched application knowledge and top-notch local service support. Our presence and skills in the significant German market are further strengthened by alco, according to Petrie.

Heinz and Gertrud Algra’s vision for alco, which currently produces everything from noodle sauces and pizza to convenience and snack foods, inspired the company to be established in Bad Iburg, Germany in 1977.

It was crucial to find the proper partner to purchase the company, according to Isabelle Kleine-Ausberg, a former shareholder of alco. JBT has been considered as a pioneer in the field of food processing for a very long time. Thomas Kleine-Ausberg, the JBT managing director, mentioned how happy they were with the collaboration.