S+S Separation and Sorting Technology GmbH of Schönberg, Bavaria, one of the world's leading suppliers of machines and systems for product inspection and for the sorting of material flows, has acquired 100 percent of the Italian special machine manufacturer ASM Advanced Sorting Machines s.r.l.. With this acquisition S+S strengthens its competence in the food industry in the field of product sorting.
ASM in Bologna manufactures sorting machines with optical sensors that are primarily used in the food industry, such as the sorting of dry bulk products such as rice, corn, nuts, coffee, and seeds. ASM predominantly supplies its machines to food producers in Europe and North Africa, and has more than 30 years of experience with optical sensors and systems. That makes ASM one of the most prominent suppliers in the field of food sorting.
Marco Mantovani, founder and also future managing director, emphasises the common strong points of ASM and S+S. "I am pleased that with S+S we now have found a partner who makes it possible for us to sell our machines as an independent member of the S+S group on markets that we can now access through the worldwide sales and service network of S+S," he says. "We expect continuing strong growth impulses for ASM from this."
With automatic product sorting gaining increased attention in the food-processing industry, S+S has established a fourth business unit called SORTING FOOD. Oliver Uhrmann, manager of this SORTING FOOD business unit, thinks that with the acquisition of ASM S+S is optimally positioned for the future.
"ASM sorting machines are an ideal complement to the product portfolio that S+S offers for applications in the food industry," Uhrmann says. "For our customers who want to sort dry bulk materials, our sorting technology guarantees high throughput capacity and availability. They can simultaneously increase output, quality, and food safety. Investments in ASM sorters provide higher productivity and improved food safety for our customers."
