EPF and SHIBAURA MACHINE CO., LTD. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the establishment of a joint venture focused on expanding sales and service activities for injection molding machines and automation solutions across Italy and Southern Europe.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two companies, which began in 2013 when EPF Plastic became SHIBAURA MACHINE’s official distributor and service partner for the Italian market. Today, that successful collaboration is set to evolve further, with the shared ambition of providing customers with an even stronger local presence and a more comprehensive portfolio of services.

A partnership to meet the evolving needs of the market

Growing demand for integrated manufacturing systems combining injection molding machines, automation and engineering is reshaping the plastics processing industry. The planned joint venture has been conceived to address this evolution by bringing together SHIBAURA MACHINE’s technological expertise and EPF’s extensive experience in industrial automation and engineering.

Once established, the new company will be headquartered in Casei Gerola (PV), Italy, managing the sales and service of SHIBAURA MACHINE injection molding machines not only in Italy but throughout Southern Europe. At the same time, EPF Automation will continue to develop advanced automation and engineering solutions, working in close synergy with the future joint venture to deliver increasingly integrated and complete manufacturing systems.

A shared vision for sustainable growth

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, SHIBAURA MACHINE is expected to hold a 60% stake in the future company, while EPF Plastic will retain the remaining 40%, with the aim of finalizing the definitive agreements by the end of 2026.

“This partnership strengthens a collaboration that has been built over many years and enables us to offer customers even more comprehensive solutions. At the same time, it represents an important opportunity to expand our presence in Italy and Southern Europe by combining SHIBAURA MACHINE’s technological expertise with EPF’s engineering capabilities, creating a solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth.”

Franco Filippi, CEO and Chairman of EPF

Innovation, expertise and local presence

Over the years, EPF has strengthened its position as a technology partner for the manufacturing industry through two highly specialized business units:

• EPF Automation, focused on developing advanced industrial automation, robotics and artificial intelligence solutions;
• EPF Plastic, the reference partner for the sales, technical support and after-sales service of SHIBAURA MACHINE injection molding machines throughout Italy.

The planned joint venture represents another important milestone in EPF’s international growth strategy and reaffirms the company’s commitment to investing in increasingly comprehensive solutions that combine machinery, automation and engineering within a single integrated offering for plastics manufacturers across Southern Europe.