Marc M. Gaelen, President and Chief Executive Officer of O.BERK Company, announced the acquisition of AQL Decorating Company, Inc., of Fairview, NJ. AQL Decorating with over 40 years of experience is an innovative 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 Mr. Gaelen, “O.BERK was actually the first customer of AQL Decorating nearly 42 years ago. 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 Company, will also serve as Vice President and General Manager of AQL.

“AQL Decorating has inherent strengths besides its long history of customer satisfaction,” continued 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 360º 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.”

Mr. Gaelen concluded by adding that “this is a natural and synergistic extension of our business in providing superior service as a one-stop packaging resource to both of our customer bases. In the long run, the strengths of both companies will add value to all customers and will continue O.BERK’s nearly 100 year track record of quality, service, and vision.” Its website, www.AQLdecorating.com, is currently being updated.

O.BERK Company is a major full-service supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers; metal and plastic closures; and a total packaging resource for the cosmetic, food, healthcare, chemical, industrial, and specialty markets. The O.BERK family of packaging companies maintains full-service facilities in Union, NJ, West Haven, CT, and Baltimore, MD. Website: www.OBERK.com.

AQL Decorating Company was founded in 1966 as a full-service provider of plastic, glass, and metal container decoration for the major industry segments in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. AQL is a total decorating resource providing screen printing, pressure sensitive labeling, hot stamping, pad printing, and therimage/heat transfer for a wide variety of prestigious brands packaged in various shapes and sizes. It remains an independent business unit and a member of the O.BERK family of packaging companies. Website: www.AQLdecorating.com.