ÅR Packaging to hold renewable packaging factory tour as it enters ‘next stage of development’
ÅR Packaging - which is to this month host a renewable packaging factory tour (see below) - is headquartered in Lund, Sweden, and is divided into three divisions: Branded Products, Barrier Packaging and Food Packaging. The business was founded in 2011 through the merger of A&R Carton and Flextrus.
Nestlé Sweden Slider Pack
The company has won awards for its packaging including a cereal carton-only pack for Fazer Mill & Mixes, 100% sustainable cartonboard for Kägi Swiss chocolates, and partnered with Nestlé Sweden to create a Slider Pack for porridge.
CVC Capital Partners, which announced in May that it would acquire ÅR, said the packaging manufacturer had a number of attractive benefits including its position in the European market, a strong product portfolio and many strategic client relationships.
ÅR Packaging Group reported a 27% increase in net sales to €514m ($572m) last year attributable to its acquisition of MeadWestvaco Corporation's European operations. Its EBITDA margin for 2015 rose by 12.2%.
Harald Schulz, president/CEO, AR Packaging, said at the time the business had "gradually improved its value proposition in core segments" and had made "relentless efforts" to improve operational efficiency.
In the first quarter of 2016, net sales grew 48% and operating profit excluding non-recurring items increased to €14.6m with an operating margin of 9.9%.
“There are significant opportunities to grow the business organically and through acquisitions while continuing to put customers first," added Törnquist.
With 2,200 employees across 17 factories in nine countries, ÅR Packaging manufactures products predominantly used for folding carton and flexible packaging, as well as machinery systems, packaging design and development.
Schulz said once the acquisition is completed the company will be well placed for the next phase of its development and with CVC’s "expertise, financial resources and global network" it will achieve its long-term growth ambitions.
The completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory clearances.
CC Pack factory tour
The company is holding a renewable packaging factory tour in partnership with Stora Enso in Tibro, Sweden, on September 14.
The 7,600m² factory belongs to ÅR Packaging’s CC Pack, where the firm produces pressed board trays for direct food contact. It claims behavior and attitudes to consuming food are constantly changing and will provide information about why fiber-based renewable packaging is the way forward.
