Groupe Guillin buys Sharp Interpack

By Rory Harrington

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Groupe guillin European union

The takeover of UK plastics packaging company Sharp Interpack by French multinational firm Groupe Guillin was announced yesterday.

The deal to acquire 100 per cent of Sharp Interpack’s shares and assets was signed on April 9 and means Groupe Guillin will now carry out more than 60 per cent of its business outside France. No financial details were disclosed.

Sharp Interpack is a UK manufacturer and distributor of thermoformed rigid plastic packaging for the fruit and vegetable packers, meat and fish processors as well as retail and bespoke packaging. The company, which is forecast to post a turnover of £86m in 2009/10, has three facilities in southern England in Ayelsham, Bridgwater and Yate.

“The combination of Groupe Guillin’s expertise alongside Sharp Interpack’s UK market experience allows Guillin to strengthen its leading position on the European market for fruit and vegetables, and expand its strategic position in the industry and develop new industrial and commercial relationships for meat products,”​ said a joint statement from the firms.

European reach

Andrew Copson, deputy managing director for Sharp Interpack, told FoodProductionDaily.com: “The takeover will now give our company European reach and means we will be able to offer customers in excess of 3,000 packaging products.”

He added that discussions with Groupe Guillin had​given every indication it was committed to growing the UK business through “sustained investment”.

“This is great news both for our company and our customers”,​ said Copson.

The French firm, which also has operations in Spain, Italy and Poland, said negotiations had been ongoing since 21 December, 2009.

Groupe Guillin already owns three other UK packaging companies Premier Packaging, GPI and Socamel. The firm was founded in 1972 and since then has pursued a strategy of growth through acquisitions.

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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