About Bardot PlasticsFounded in 1973 by J. Lee Boucher, Bardot Plastics specializes in custom injection molding using both engineered and non-engineered resins.  More than fifty years after its founding, Bardot Plastics continues to deliver on its founding mantra of "making it right the first time," by blending leading-edge engineering and high-volume production capabilities with a deep commitment to quality.

The advantage of the patented uShape technology is the ability to create aluminum bottles with shapes previously possible only with PET, with the features and functionality of aluminum. To create uShape, Montebello partnered with Novelis, taking their patented technology and building upon it. The bottle is made from impact extruded aluminum that is turned into a preform and blow molded “in any shape you’d like,” said Pilon. This includes flutes and asymmetric shapes.

“It’s fun that we’ve been able to create something that allows people to use their imagination to innovate something they want to see on the shelf,” said Pilon.

"Our portfolio approach has been one of logical, diligent expansion to create as much benefit as possible for the New Pendulum family of companies.  Specifically, with the acquisition of Bardot Plastics, we are adding a key component to our plastics manufacturing capabilities, one we believe will pay significant dividends across all of our operations," notes Mark Woytowich, VP, Strategic Integration of New Pendulum Corporation.

Bardot Plastics LLC, the newly-named subsidiary, marks the second acquisition completed by New Pendulum in less than twelve months.

"It has been a great experience working with New Pendulum, from our broad discussions on philosophy, fit, and family business to all of the small details that need to be covered during due diligence and closing process.  Our family is excited for Bardot Plastics to join New Pendulum, and we're equally excited in terms of the resources they are building to move our family's company into the future," said Rick Boucher, current President of Bardot Plastics, and former Owner/Vice President of Manufacturing.

“We know that Canada, the United States, China, and Brazil are the largest beverage markets in the world,” said Pilon. “They singlehandedly produce 100 billion bottles each year. The Europeans consume about 63 billion, the South Americans about 32 billion, and the rest of the world, approximately 20 billion. So that’s why we got into it.”

ALTOONA, Pa., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New Pendulum Corporation, a family-owned and managed portfolio specializing in the manufacturing and industrial space, announced today that they have acquired Bardot Plastics Inc., a custom injection molding company based in Easton, Pennsylvania.

The Packaging Conference, sponsored by PTI (formerly Plastic Technologies, Inc.) and SBA-CCI, has become known as the go-to event to hear about the latest launches in packaging equipment and materials. This year’s event, held in Orlando Feb. 5-7, has been no exception.

The bottles can be dry offset printed by Montebello in up to nine colors and can include matte and gloss finishes, metallic and specialty inks, and a variety of base coating options. The bottle can also be embossed or debossed and can accommodate ROPP, crown, and ring-pull closures.

uShape is suggested for a range of applications, including energy and sports drinks, dairy beverages, iced tea and coffee drinks, and carbonated soft drinks, among others. “Craft brewers love it,” said Pilon. “They can do short runs and it is very cost effective. The biggest cost is not the process, it’s the aluminum.”

She added that the process is very quick, and the molds are inexpensive. Another advantage is that Montebello can produce minimum runs of 30,000 pieces versus the hundreds of thousands required by traditional can manufacturers.

New blow-molded aluminum bottle technology is introduced at The Packaging Conference that lets CPGs create bottles in an array of shapes previously possible only with the use of PET.

About New PendulumNew Pendulum is a family-owned and managed, privately held company with a proven track record of strategic acquisitions and accelerated growth internationally since 1986.  Specializing in industrials and manufacturing, our approach is one of creating increased profitability through long-term investment, sound corporate stewardship, and leveraging omnichannel expertise.

"Since 1973, Bardot Plastics has built an excellent reputation with its customers, and much of that stems from the founding beliefs instilled by Lee Boucher, and the continued stewardship by the Boucher family over more than fifty years.  This acquisition is an excellent example of our investment philosophy, not only from an operational standpoint, but also in terms of cultural fit and how we choose to do business," said Clark Stapelfeld, President & CEO of New Pendulum Corporation.

With the addition of Bardot Plastics, New Pendulum's most recent investment further solidifies its expansion across the spectrum of plastics manufacturing processes, with portfolio capabilities now spanning from meltblown nonwoven production to rotational molding and injection molding.

The New Pendulum family of companies includes New Pig, SpillTech, Bardot Plastics, and ten others, with holdings in nine countries and totaling more than 800 employees.

On the first day of the event, Betty Jean Pilon, President of Montebello Packaging, provided an overview of the company’s new uShape blow-molded aluminum bottle technology, which has been in development for 10 years. Montebello has traditionally been known as a supplier of collapsible aluminum tubes, aerosol cans, laminated tubes, and all-plastic tubes. However, Pilon said when the company saw a downturn in its market, it looked to new packaging innovation. One of the largest drivers of uShape: the tremendous opportunities presented by the beverage market.

Montebello has taken the concept out to the market in the last six months, receiving technical innovation awards in both the U.S. and Europe. According to Pilon, several customers are now in stability testing with the new bottle.

Bardot Plastics marks the 14th New Pendulum holding since its formation in 1983.  Of those companies it has created or acquired over the past four decades, New Pendulum still holds thirteen in portfolio, proof of an acquisition strategy centered on long-term growth and profitability.