AUTOMATIK | MAAG Group
ETTLINGER | MAAG Group
GALA | MAAG Group
MAAG | MAAG Group
REDUCTION | MAAG Group
SCHEER | MAAG Group
XANTEC | MAAG Group

Stronger together: GALA is part of the MAAG Group

GALA is the global leading manufacturer of underwater pelletizing systems and centrifugal dryers. GALA enjoys an outstanding reputation among national and international customers in the plastics manufacturing and processing industry. Customers rely on the company’s high level of design, manufacturing and application expertise, across a wide range of materials.

Since 2015, GALA has been the specialized product brand for underwater pelletizing systems within the global MAAG Group. Combining the products, know-how and technologies of the MAAG Group and GALA optimizes innovation and processing capabilities for the polymers and compounding industry. Our employees are strategically located around the globe and our footprint of production sites and sales and service organizations allows customers access to our consolidated know-how and product portfolio. The MAAG Group through GALA offers innovative turnkey systems, high-performance modules, sustainable components, comprehensive services and new opportunities in polymer production and processing.

Technologies for underwater pelletizing from GALA

GALA has been the embodiment of innovative technologies in underwater pelletizing and drying for polymer, compounding and masterbatch processing, production and recycling applications for over 60 years. Within the MAAG Group, GALA develops tailored, turnkey underwater pelletizing systems and dryers. Its plants process polymers, hot-melt adhesives, color masterbatches, compounds, thermoplastic elastomers, soft and rigid PVC, chewing gum bases, and many other plastics and composites.

In addition to in-depth industry and product know-how and decades of experience, GALA and the MAAG Group are united by respect for our interactions with customers. Reliable performance fulfillment of customers’ needs and requirements is how we measure ourselves. GALA’s product range and services within the MAAG Group are consistently designed to achieve the results required by customers with maximum availability, support backup, and a strong sense of responsibility. The combined innovative strength and high qualification levels of the MAAG Group’s workforce guarantee the ongoing optimization of the systems and the sustainable development of new products and services in line with demand.

Research and development – together with the customer

The needs of our customers are the starting points for new developments. That is why GALA’s research and development activities as part of the MAAG Group often involve its customers. Projects are run jointly to analyze actual situations and define goals. To support customers in their product development, research and development tasks, or in the production of pellet samples for market launch, GALA operates pilot plants and test centers. They are also able to test finished underwater pelletizing systems in terms of their suitability for the given application. The state-of-the-art information, demonstration and research centers are equipped with processing systems such as compounders featuring single-screw and twin-screw extruders, as well as systems for the production of hot-melt adhesives, including for low-viscosity applications.

The technology at the Maag Group GALA test centers:

  • Pellet drying
  • Crystallization of PET after pelletizing
  • Fluidized bed drying
  • Equipment for moisture analysis in ongoing experiments
  • Bagging systems
  • Powdering after pelletizing
  • Surface moisture analysis (weight loss)
  • Rotational viscometer (measuring range up to 500,000 mPas)
  • Melt flow index measurement
  • Screening analysis
  • Karl Fischer Titration Method

Products through changing times

Technology is constantly evolving. New technologies and processes are the driving force leading us to continually improve our machinery and plants. In doing so, it is important for us to apply the best of our current generation into the next, and to establish the foundations for efficient state-of-the-art polymer production and processing by integrating new technical possibilities. We work to achieve that every day, in keeping with our promise of delivering NEXT-LEVEL SOLUTIONS. Our comprehensive services providing inspection, maintenance, repair using original spare parts and machine upgrades are guaranteed in relation to all legacy models as well as all our current machines.

Here is a brief overview of the history of our model series and products:

Model 6 SLC pelletizer PEARLO 90 EAC pelletizer
Model 7 SLC pelletizer PEARLO 160 EAC pelletizer
TWS 20 water system PURO 20 water system
IS water filtration CBF water filtration
2016 ECBF dryer CYCLO 420 dryer

Milestones in the history of our products

1969 Sale of the first GALA centrifugal dryer
1976 First GALA underwater pelletizer in laboratory testing
1977 The first GALA underwater pelletizer is sold

Top-class service for MAAG Group GALA customers

Our focus is always on the customer. Consequently, technical support and reliable service are of the utmost importance to GALA, as they are across the MAAG Group. With its own global service network, GALA offers fast, reliable service whenever the customer needs it. Experienced GALA specialists in the electrical, mechanical and process engineering fields are available around the clock within the MAAG Group. With preventive maintenance, operator training, and seminars on underwater pelletizing, we will help you to keep GALA pelletizing systems and centrifugal dryers running smoothly and efficiently at all times.

What GALA customers of the MAAG Group say:

We run two shifts every day, and will extend to three shifts if and when necessary. Downtimes are practically eliminated. Once the plant has been started, it runs for hours. We only have to shut down when there is a material change, and that is planned accordingly. We check the plant only about every half hour, while it simply continues to output pellets. If we need to expand our operations, I’m sure I’ll turn to GALA again. Thank you once again for all the support you have given us. I really appreciate it.
Jim Johnson
O’Neil Color and Compounding has been using GALA pelletizers for at least 17 years, and the number of GALA underwater pelletizers it operates is increasing every year. In the course of our expansion and growth, GALA’s pelletizing plants have become our preference. Every time we expand our production, whether by installing a new production plant or modernizing existing lines, GALA is part of the process. We now have a whole range of different sized plants, with various models. We can pelletize a wide variety of polymers, and achieve pellets of a quality that other pelletizers can only achieve with difficulty, if at all. Given the customer support, reliability and design quality we get, the decision when upgrading is an easy one to make.
Bob Anthony, O'Neil Color and Compounding Plant Manager

GALA – Milestones in our company history

GALA has been supporting the polymer industry with reliable and innovative systems for underwater pelletizing since 1959. As part of the MAAG Group, we are strong and well positioned to meet all the challenges and new demands of the future posed by the market and our customers.

1959 Gala Industries is founded in the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA. Gala’s first product was a baby diaper fastener, the “Di-D-Klip”
1970 Gala moved to current location, Eagle Rock
1976 First lab test with Gala Underwater Pelletizer
1980 First lab demo at Gala pelletizing micropellets with customer’s LDPE material
1987 Founding of Gala GmbH
1991 Gala’s ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) was established
2003 Gala Industries became a 100% owned ESOP
2007 Gala GmbH celebrated its 20th Anniversary
2008 Founding of Gala Industries Asia Ltd
2009 Gala Industries celebrated its 50th Anniversary
2015 GALA becomes part of the MAAG Group
2020 Gala Industries, Inc. becomes Maag Gala, Inc.
2021 Gala Kunststoff- und Kautschukmaschinen GmbH and Maag Automatik GmbH merge to form the new Maag Germany GmbH