The partnership is intended to accelerate the development of advanced technologies around a shared goal: delivering measurable value to customers, expanding market coverage, and enabling faster innovation. Within this framework, Marchesini Group has acquired a 44.39% equity stake in AST, reinforcing its aseptic packaging offering. AST brings high-end aseptic filling and closing systems for pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing. These capabilities will integrate with the technologies developed within Marchesini Group’s two production sites: Corima, based in Tuscany and focused on sterile product filling, and MAR, specialized in precision filling and capping machines for liquid and powder products.

“This investment confirms our commitment to continued growth,” affirms Maurizio Marchesini, President of Marchesini Group. “It’s not driven by ambition alone, but by the desire to build strategic partnerships that allow us to offer our customers increasingly comprehensive and technologically advanced solutions. This is especially crucial in the field of aseptic filling, where product protection and innovation demand cutting-edge equipment”. He adds: “I would like to emphasize that AST’s entry into the Group and our focus on the U.S. market do not imply a shift in production away from our territory. We will continue to invest in Italy, strengthening our presence, as demonstrated by the recent expansion of the Barberino di Mugello facility and the planned enlargement of Corima’s production site in Siena.”

Expanding the market presence without losing local markets

**Valerio Soli, CEO of Marchesini Group (on the left) and Joe Hoff, CEO of AST. (photo: Marchesini)**

By leveraging the heritage and strength of both brands, the partnership will expand market presence without losing connection to local markets. Both companies share a commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and long-term value creation. This partnership unites two strong organizations with complementary capabilities, enabling greater efficiency, enhanced market presence, and the realization of significant synergies.

“This operation allows us to further expand our portfolio of aseptic fill-finish machines,” remarks Valerio Soli, CEO of Marchesini Group. “The pharmaceutical market is heavily investing in the development of new therapies, such as anticancer treatments, as well as in complex biotechnological production processes that demand extremely high processing standards. The partnership with AST will enable us to strengthen the know-how and further specialize in the design of customized systems tailored to our clients’ specific needs. Moreover, this collaboration will help us consolidate our presence in the United States, confirming the commitment to grow in a strategic and constantly evolving market.”

As part of this strategic partnership, AST’s Chairman and CEO Joe Hoff will increase his ownership stake in AST, underscoring the shared commitment to long-term growth and innovation of both parties. Joe Hoff will remain the Chairman and CEO of AST and will join the steering committee of the Aseptic Division of the Marchesini Group which leads the sterile fill-finish and drug product manufacturing segment.
“Marchesini Group brings a shared vision of innovative technology, strong customer service, and respect for employees, customers, suppliers and communities. This partnership isn’t about changing who we are—it’s about leveraging our relationships, experiences, capabilities and resources to accelerate our shared leadership in drug product manufacturing and sterile fill-finish” Joe Hoff, CEO of AST. “Together, we will leverage our strengths to deliver even more value to our customers and stakeholders. By uniting our product portfolios, we’re not just expanding what we offer — we’re multiplying the value we can deliver to customers around the world.”