Sign In
Free Newsletter
York-based JLS acquires neighboring K2 Kinetics
Ed Gruver//March 29, 2023
JLS Automation’s longtime partnership with K2 Kinetics has turned into an acquisition.
K2 Kinetics, a company local to the JLS headquarters in York, has partnered with JLS for more than a decade.
Founded in 1955, JLS Automation provides custom vision-guided robotic and manufacturing equipment for the food packaging industry. K2 Kinetics, an end-of-line solutions provider of packaging equipment, was founded in 2011. Both companies are headquartered in York.
“To see our partnership with K2 grow into an acquisition has been humbling,” JLS President and CEO Craig Souser said in a statement. “Our close relationship with and proximity to them has made this move a good fit for all involved, including our customers.”
K2 Kinetic’s full line of palletizers, along with its TL case packer and carton loaders, become part of JLS’ offerings. The acquisition allows JLS, which designs and manufactures robotic primary and secondary packaging machinery, to expand its full-line solutions to be inclusive of palletizing. This will provide more flexible solutions to JLS customers, as many companies must look to suppliers to provide full-line solutions.
As part of the acquisition, K2’s team will become part of JLS, with Kevin Keller acting as Director of Case Packing and End of Line Solutions. Palletizing and full-line integration will be housed in JLS’ newly expanded production facility.
“After working with the team at JLS for the past several years, it’s clear that K2 and its product lines are in good hands,” said Keller. “We look forward to being part of this next phase of JLS’ growth.”
d
