Schur Flexibles Group is in exclusive negotiations with French flexible packaging producer UNI Packaging, to acquire both its dairy and fresh food businesses in France and the United Kingdom.
The Baden, Austria-based company announced March 7 that it had reached a general agreement with the French family-owned company, and expected the transaction, the amount of which was not disclosed, to be completed within the coming weeks.
Headquartered in Averdoingt, France, UNI Packaging has a network of seven production sites and five logistics hubs — predominantly based in France, the U.K. and Austria — and European sales offices.
“UNI Packaging … is an established player which keeps breaking new ground,” said Michael Schernthaner, managing director of Schur Flexibles Group.
UNI Packaging is a specialist in digital printing for flexible packaging in Europe, which is ideal for ultra-short runs with no upfront costs.
“Given UNI Packaging's extensive knowledge and experience in packaging dairy and fresh food products, the planned acquisition would help Schur Flexibles to expand its footprint in both the fast-growing cheese & dairy and in the fresh food & convenience markets,” said the Schur Flexibles statement.
The Austrian company said it intended to leverage UNI Packaging's strong market position for pouches on a pan-European base.
UNI Packaging owners, the Caresmel family, will be responsible for both the pouch-making and digital operations of the combined businesses.
