W&H Acquires Addex, Inc.
Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation (WHC), the North American subsidiary of German machine manufacturer Windmöller & Hölscher Group, has acquired Addex, Inc. of Newark, NY, a supplier of blown film extrusion equipment, effective August 1, 2025.
Andrew Wheeler (W&H), Brad Humbolt, Bob Cree, and Rick von Kraus (Addex)
at the acquisition signing in Lincoln, Rhode Island, USA
Addex, Inc., founded in 1989 by Bob Cree and Rick von Kraus, will continue to operate independently under its existing name, maintaining its product lines and customer relationships, with an ongoing focus on the U.S. and Canadian markets. The primary change will be in leadership: Brad Humbolt, who served as Sales Director of Corporate Accounts at W&H Corporation, has assumed the role of President. Bob Cree has transitioned into a newly created role as Director of Special Projects.
“I am extremely pleased to entrust my company to W&H, with whom I've had a wonderful relationship for years,” said Bob Cree. “This acquisition represents our succession plan and gives me complete confidence that the business that Rick and I built will continue to flourish well into the future. I look forward to working with Brad.”
“This acquisition reflects Bob’s trust in W&H,” said Andrew Wheeler, President of W&H Corporation. “Addex and W&H have enjoyed a long relationship, and their capabilities are highly complementary to our growing retrofit business. We have great respect for Bob and the technologies Addex has developed.”
Brad Humbolt brings over 15 years of experience in the flexible packaging industry, having held leadership roles in sales, operations, engineering, and capital management. He holds a BS in Plastics Engineering & Technology and an MBA, combining deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen to lead Addex, Inc. into its next chapter.
About Addex
Addex, Inc., based in Newark, NY, was founded in July 1989 as a supplier of high-performance components for blown film production. Today, the company specializes in advanced cooling and bubble management technologies, fully integrated through its latest Generation 3 controls. Addex solutions significantly reduce operational complexity by automating bubble dynamics, specifically targeting improved production efficiency.