FDBusiness.com

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 new ownership has opened up 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 DKK 500 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.

Andrew Osborne-Smith, Managing Director of Anson Packaging Ltd, comments: “Faerch Plast 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.”

The deal is part of the Faerch Plast’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.