August 14: A war of words has broken out over the acquisition of the metal container machinery division of Frattini, which was put into administration in June.
German canmaking machinery manufacturer Hinterkopf wants to buy the Italian company but thinks its offer is being ignored by a presiding judge in favour of a lower bid by German competitor Mall+Herlan.
Frattini, which makes die necking machines used in the monobloc aerosol and bottle can industry, ran into trouble after what it described as a dramatic fall in orders at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009.