O.Berk acquires AQL decorating.

O.Berk Company of Union, NJ has acquired AQL Decorating Company, Inc., of Fairview, NJ. In business for more than 40 years, AQL Decorating is a decorator of plastic, glass, and metal containers for the cosmetic/personal care, food/beverage, pharmaceutical/healthcare and chemical/industrial markets. AQL specializes in screen-printing, pressure sensitive label application, hot stamping and pad printing for a wide variety of prestigious brands packaged in various shapes and sizes.

O.Berk and AQL share many of the same customers. According to Marc M. Gaelen, president and chief executive officer of O.Berk, his company was actually the first customer of AQL Decorating nearly 42 years ago. He says both companies have grown as O.Berk has expanded, including the formation of the Cosmetic Packaging Group, Healthcare Packaging Group and General Line Packaging Group to handle each market's specific packaging requirements.

AQL Decorating will continue to operate as an independent company with its current management team and employees servicing its existing customer base. In addition, Jim Sheehan, corporate vice president of O.Berk, will also serve as vice president and general manager of AQL.

"AQL Decorating has inherent strengths besides its long history of customer satisfaction," says Mr. Gaelen. "First, AQL can perform a variety of decorating functions under one roof, including screen printing, press sensitive labeling, hot stamping, pad printing and therimage/heat transfer. Second, AQL has purchased and modified several machines that decorate more efficiently and uniquely than elsewhere in the country. This includes Omso's Axial that delivers 360-degree printing on any symmetrical or asymmetrical shape, up to eight colors--front, back and sides in one continuous motion. There are also a number of proprietary machines that perform screen printing and labeling simultaneously."

"Third, AQL also provides logistical support services including inventory management, distribution and bar code labeling. Finally, its location is perfect for quick decorating turnaround for the cosmetic and personal care market located in the New York metropolitan area."