July 7, 2026 09:16

Japanese injection molding machine manufacturer Shibaura Machine has signed an agreement with its Italian distributor EPF Plastic to establish a joint venture by the end of the year.
The new company will be dedicated to the sales and technical service of injection molding machines and automated production cells in Italy and Southern Europe.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed in recent days, EPF’s sales and service activities for Shibaura injection molding machines will be transferred to the joint venture, which will be based at EPF Plastic’s current headquarters in Casei Gerola, northern Italy. 
The new company will also take over sales and service for the Japanese manufacturer’s injection molding machines across Southern Europe.

At the same time, EPF Automation, the Italian group’s other operating division, plans to align its automation and engineering expertise with the new company’s commercial activities.

As for control of the joint venture, Shibaura Machine plans to hold a stake of around 60%, while EPF Plastic will hold the remaining 40%.

“The partnership strengthens our long-standing collaboration and enables us to offer customers more comprehensive, one-stop solutions,” explains Franco Filippi, CEO and Chairman of EPF, pictured. “At the same time, we are paving the way to expand our market presence in Italy and Southern Europe.”

“Demand is growing for automated production solutions that combine injection molding machines, automation, and engineering in high-performance, integrated systems,” adds Georg Holzinger, Managing Executive Officer of Shibaura Machine and Managing Director of the German subsidiary Shibaura Machine LWB. “For 13 years, EPF Plastic has been a proven and trusted sales partner for Shibaura Machine injection molding machines in Italy. Through EPF Automation, the company also offers extensive expertise in developing and integrating automated production lines for smart factories.”

Shibaura Machine, formerly Toshiba Machine, designs and manufactures all-electric injection molding machines, machine tools, die-casting machines, industrial robots and extruders. It operates through 70 locations and six production facilities, with a strong presence in Asia, the Americas and Europe.

Founded in Carrù, Piedmont, northern Italy, EPF has been Shibaura Machine’s Italian sales partner since 2013 through its EPF Plastic division. It also operates through EPF Automation in the development of advanced industrial automation solutions.

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