Sharp Interpack has today confirmed rumours that it has acquired Rexam’s Bristol based food plastic packaging division for an undisclosed sum.

Since new ownership in 2002, Sharp Interpack has established a core brand and business focus with the aim to be “the UK and Europe’s number one choice for rigid plastic packaging”. Today’s announcement is a significant move within that strategy.

Sharp Interpack’s current owners, the South African de Jager brothers, have transformed the £60 million business by investing £42m in the last four years. The investment in a brand new purpose-built factory, two new warehouses, new extrusion and thermoforming equipment and sophisticated logistics systems, led the company to be described as “the most advanced thermoforming operation in Europe” by BRC auditors earlier this year.

The Rexam Plastic Packaging business at Yate, near Bristol, employs 150 people. It is the leading supplier of both MAP trays to the poultry industry and punnets to the UK and Irish mushroom suppliers, using patented Rotary Thermoforming Technology.

All 150 employees at the Bristol based division of Rexam will keep their jobs and manufacturing will continue on existing product lines. “We have witnessed significant growth in both Fresh Produce and Protein within our business over the past few years and we view this acquisition as a way to further strengthen and compliment our already successful business’ commented Declan O’Sullivan, managing director at Sharp Interpack.

“This is a real strategic opportunity for us. This new division fits with our existing structure bringing a totally different but complimentary technology to our own. They have developed extremely strong relationships with their customers through excellence in quality and service which we will build on from the offset. We will continue Sharp Interpack’s policy of having manufacturing centres of excellence, with the aim of being the lowest cost producer within each of our markets.

“This acquisition will truly make our business world class and reinforces our position as the supplier of choice to the protein and produce markets,” he said.

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