Impel Services Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Bindwel and Stelda, has entered into an agreement with Wimco Ltd, which is a part of ITC Group, to acquire its designs, intellectual property, and trademarks related to cartoning and tube-filling technologies. Recognized for its expertise in manufacturing tube-filling machines for industries such as toothpaste, skincare, and pharmaceuticals, Wimco has been a significant player in the sector.
Impel Services is India’s leading manufacturer of bookbinding machines under the Bindwel brand and provides high-functionality case-packaging solutions using hotmelt adhesives under the Stelda brand. The agreement includes the transfer of Wimco’s designs, blueprints, and the trademarks ‘GAB’ and ‘GAN’ to Impel Services. Additionally, Impel will have the right to use the Wimco trademark for its range of packaging machines for five years and will collaborate with the ITC brand to service existing customers of Wimco’s tube-filling and cartoning machines.
When asked about the deal’s value by Packaging South Asia, Pallippuram Sajith, managing director of the Impel Group, stated that while there is interest in financial specifics, they cannot disclose the exact investment details at this time. He said his company made a “reasonable investment” based on the value and potential of the acquisition.
“Our focus is on ensuring that this acquisition allows us to deliver greater value to our customers through enhanced technology and capabilities. We view this as a strategic long-term investment that will benefit the industries we serve,” he said.
Regarding the decision to enter the primary packaging space, Sajith said Stelda has successfully expanded in end-of-line packaging but has observed a growing industry trend where investments increasingly focus on upstream needs—specifically, on aspects that directly touch and protect the product rather than secondary packaging.
L-R, Samir Limaye, director of Wimco, P Sajith, managing director of Impel Group and A V Chandrashekar, director of Impel Stelda.He said many customers have expressed a desire for complete or integrated packaging solutions. While Stelda remains committed to minimizing damage and preventing pilferage in the supply chain through secondary packaging innovations, Sajith believes expanding into primary packaging through this acquisition will allow it to offer more comprehensive solutions. This backward integration is expected to strengthen its core focus and enhance product safety and quality throughout the packaging process.
Sajith highlighted the strategic decision to focus on the tube-filling and cartoning sector as a way to expand within the pharmaceutical market, which he identifies as a high-growth area in India. He emphasizes the perfect alignment of the pharmaceutical sector with Stelda’s core vision of ensuring product integrity and safety, especially given the critical importance of protecting sensitive products throughout their lifecycle.
By moving into tube filling and cartoning, it aims to address this gap by offering solutions that meet the stringent requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, with increased automation and a heightened regulatory focus, particularly in pharmaceuticals, Stelda is positioning itself to lead in these trends, providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving demands of the sector.
Wimco – a perfect fit
AV Chandrashekar, director of Impel-Stelda, noted that Wimco’s proven track record across multiple industries, with some machines in operation since 1986, is a testament to their durability and reliability. He commended Wimco’s commitment to quality and compliance, particularly in adhering to strict pharmaceutical industry standards.
Sajith said Wimco is a pioneer in tube-filling machines in India, and that legacy significantly influenced the decision to finalize the deal. The products are based on the original designs of Arenco, a Swedish company associated with Swedish Match, which established Wimco in India.
Wimco shares values of product integrity, innovation, and customer-centricity with Impel. Its experience in navigating complex regulatory environments, particularly in pharmaceuticals and personal care, aligns with Impel’s goals of expanding into high-growth, highly regulated sectors. Acquiring Wimco accelerates the entry into these markets while ensuring they uphold the high standards expected by customers.
Impel-Stelda plans to invest further in Wimco to strengthen operations
“Our investment in Wimco is just the beginning. Once we complete the acquisition, we recognize that there’s more work ahead to fully realize the potential of this partnership. We will need to invest in technology, people, and capabilities to build on the strong foundation Wimco has established. Our goal is to take its already well-regarded machines and transform them into best-in-class solutions, surpassing customer expectations in terms of speed, accuracy, and turnaround times. It’s a journey of continuous improvement, and we’re committed to ensuring that, together, we can raise the bar for primary packaging solutions,” Sajith concludes.
