Environmental Packaging Technologies Ltd (EPT) has acquired Global Flexi Systems (GFS), one of the top five flexitank companies in the world, said EPT president Nancy Wendrock. GFS is also headquartered in Houston TX.
“Incorporating GFS offices into our system increases our global reach to 15 regional offices and a network of over 120 agents and depots,” Wendrock said.
She 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.
“All GFS employees will retain their positions during the transition,” Wendrock said. GFS staff has relocated from Houston’s Channelview area to EPT’s corporate headquarters in northwest Houston.
EPT markets the BIG Red Flexitank brand and has introduced innovations to the flexitank market including:
•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 successfully passed the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Rail Impact Test and Rail Simulation Test. It has written authorization from several North American Class I Railroads and the Russian Railroad (RZD), to offer all intermodal options and competitive economics to customers. EPT will open a new facility in Rotterdam in the first quarter of 2011.
Both EPT and GFS flexitanks meet requirements of the Container Owners Association (COA) Code of Practice.