Houston, Texas, Jan 10, 2011 – Houston-based Environmental Packaging Technologies, Inc., (EPT) has acquired Global Flexi Systems (GFS), also headquartered in Houston.

“GFS is considered one of the top five flexitank companies in the world,” said EPT president Nancy Wendrock. “Incorporating GFS offices into our system increases our global reach to 15 regional offices and an extensive network of over 120 agents and depots. We can assure our customers of inventory, service, logistics and support anywhere in the world.”

Wendrock said EPT was attracted to GFS “because of their products, their experienced personnel and their history of innovation and quality. EPT has aggressively introduced new technologies and innovations to the flexitank industry and we felt GFS shared our vision and capabilities for growth.”

“This acquisition will provide EPT with access to new markets and an expanded customer base for an even greater global presence. All GFS employees will retain their positions during the transition,” said Wendrock. GFS employees who previously worked in Channelview have relocated to EPT’s corporate Houston headquarters. EPT also expects to open a new facility in Rotterdam in the first quarter of 2011 to accommodate the combined European staff and management. The new office will be led by Peter van Schaik, Managing Director of EPT’s Europe, Middle East, and S. Africa operations.

“GFS has a history of innovation,” said Damien McClean, managing partner of GFS. “We are pleased to join forces with the market leader in flexitank technology.”

“Damien McClean developed and introduced the first multi-layer polyethylene flexitank to the industry in 2000,” said Wendrock. “This multi-layer construction is now considered standard and over sixty percent of all flexitanks currently used are of this style.” Mr. McClean has been in the bulk packaging industry since 1990 and is located in Ireland. He will continue to have a key role leading technical advances and business development within the new integrated management team in Europe and the USA.

Colleen Walkoviak has been in the flexitank business since 1989 and has served as Vice President of Operations with GFS since 2002 when the company began. Ms. Walkoviak said, “I’ve seen firsthand the expansion of the flexitank industry and it’s exciting to join a company that is taking the lead in new product development and challenging the industry with engineering and services.” 

Environmental Packaging Technologies markets the BIG Red Flexitank brand and has introduced innovations to the flexitank market such as:

• Strength Bands woven into the outer layer that reinforce the bag’s structure and constrain fluid motion
• A Swept-bar Bulkhead that absorbs the forces of liquid dynamics and minimizes sidewall damage
• A Surge Wing incorporated into the bulkhead that restricts movement to help control liquid motion

“EPT manufactures an extremely well designed flexitank; one in which materials and construction have been carefully engineered and arduously tested,” explained Wendrock. “Our goal in introducing new innovations will continue to be minimizing and controlling liquid dynamics, protecting the flexitank and the container, ensuring safe transit and delivery, and offering new products that increase payloads and improve economics.”

EPT is the first bottom-load flexitank manufacturer to successfully pass the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Rail Impact Test and Rail Simulation Test. They have the only flexitank with written authorization from several North American Class I Railroads and the Russian Railroad (RZD) enabling them to offer all intermodal options and competitive economics to their customers.

“The addition of the GFS top-load and bottom-load multilayer flexitanks opens up new markets and sales opportunities for EPT,” stated Wendrock. Both the EPT and GFS flexitanks meet the requirements of the Container Owners Association (COA) Code of Practice for Flexitanks. The combined operation will focus on further developing their dry bulk business as well as other bulk packaging solutions.

Wendrock added, “EPT will continue to focus on innovation and service to meet the bulk packaging and logistics needs of companies around the globe. We are very optimistic about our future growth plans and are in the process of considering other acquisitions.”