VPK's Dutch expansion

VPK Packaging Group, who specialise in production and distribution of packaging based on recycled paper, employing more than 2,400 people and operating in five countries, took over all the shares in Maasbach on 1 January 2003. This take-over is designed to allow VPK Packaging Group to further expand its specialised trading activity aimed at niche markets and reinforce its logistical strengths.

Netherlands-based Maasbach Verpakkingen, is the market leader in trading in packaging for the meat industry, claims VPK. Consequently, the group feel that it will complement the two other trading companies in the VPK Packaging Group in the Netherlands, Handelsmaatschappij Ons Belang (Noordwijkerhout), the largest supplier to the flowers and bulbs market, and Twinpack (Barneveld) which focuses mainly on packaging for chickens and eggs.

The company also aims to further develop their activities in Belgium and France. During the past three years VPK Packaging Group claims to have evolved from being a product-oriented organisation into a service organisation, focusing its attention both on the products that are manufactured and on customers' specific needs in terms of packaging demand, printing, supply chain and JIT deliveries.

Maasbach's turnover in 2002 was stable at €3.6 million. The company expects their consolidated turnover from specialised distribution to be more than €50m in 2003, due in part to this acquisition. Meanwhile, despite the difficult current economic climate, the VPK Packaging Group achieved an equally stable consolidated turnover of €363 million in 2002.