Leading European packaging company, Færch Plast A/S, with headquarters in Holstebro, Denmark, has further strengthened its position as a significant supplier to the expanding global food industry with the acquisition of Cambridgeshire-based Anson Packaging Ltd, manufacturer of high-quality thermoformed packaging solutions primarily for the UK food market.
The acquisition takes place just a year after private equity fund EQT VI, acquired Faerch Plast. This is an ownership that has opened a number of opportunities for the further development of Faerch Plast on the international market through acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.
"Faerch Plast has the potential to develop further in Europe and even globally. The new ownership has provided us with a platform to take a more aggressive approach to acquisitions. We are therefore delighted that the acquisition is now a reality. With Anson Packaging, we will strengthen the Group’s position as a leader in the production of high performance packaging solutions for ready meals, fresh meat, and cold foods and snacks,” says Faerch Plast President & CEO, Lars Gade Hansen.
Anson Packaging's headquarters is located in Ely Cambridgeshire, and with more than 40 years of experience and turnover of more than DKK500 million, the company has a very strong position in packaging for the food to go, dairy desserts, bakery and convenience sectors. In combination with Faerch Plast's leading position in CPET packaging for the ready meals sector and a strong hold in the UK market in general, the acquisition of Anson Packaging provides the Holstebro-based company with the opportunity to service customers with an even larger and broader product portfolio.
Anson Packaging is a good match for Faerch Plast. Like Faerch Plast, the company has a culture which puts the customer first in everything they do. The acquisition will benefit customers on several fronts. In addition to a broader product range, Faerch Plast will benefit from Anson Packaging's extensive expertise in design and innovation.
At the same time, Faerch Plast will invest significantly in the production facilities at Anson Packaging over the coming years. A three-year investment programme is being introduced, which aims to further develop the existing competencies at Anson Packaging.
Andrew Osborne-Smith, Managing Director of Anson Packaging Ltd commented: “Faerch has an enviable reputation for customer focus and manufacturing excellence. This combined with our strength in product design and market position, will enable us to accelerate our growth and deliver more value to our customers and opportunities to our employees. The two businesses are very complementary”
Anson has been owned by the Dujardin family for 40 years. We are particularly pleased that Mark Dujardin, Chairman and majority shareholder of Anson, will join the Board of Directors of Faerch Plast. He will continue as a shareholder in Faerch, further emphasizing the strong strategic fit between the two companies. Mark’s extensive experience in our markets will be a valuable contribution, as we embark on the future development of Faerch and Anson as a combined business.
This latest investment should be viewed as part of the Group’s growth strategy, where acquisitions are a central element.
"The acquisition of Anson Packaging is the biggest acquisition in the history of Faerch Plast. We have a continuing ambitious growth strategy, where we actively examine possibilities that can complement Faerch Plast in markets, products and factories. If we find attractive opportunities, we are ready," concludes Lars Gade Hansen.
(PRA)
