Global manufacturer and plastics processor Gerresheimer AG has confirmed that the firm is discussing a potential takeover offer with private equity investors.
In a Feb. 7 statement, officials with Gerresheimer in Düsseldorf, Germany, said they're in "early-stage discussions" with investors who have expressed, on an informal and non-binding basis, their interest to explore a potential public takeover offer.
"Such discussions are still in a very preliminary stage," officials added. "It is not foreseeable at this point in time whether a public takeover offer will actually be made. Gerresheimer will evaluate any potential offers in the best interest of the company."
A Feb. 7 Bloomberg story named investment firms Warburg Pincus and KKR & Co. as firms that were "among suitors that have been studying" Gerresheimer. The story added that Gerresheimer "has been in the crosshairs for a takeover by buyout firms for years because it's been seen as a prime breakup candidate due to the different nature of its two businesses."
Gerresheimer makes packaging for both the cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets. The firm has 35 production sites in 16 countries, employing about 12,000. In 2023, Gerresheimer generated sales of almost $2.2 billion.
In May 2024, Gerresheimer announced it was investing about $180 million to expand its facility in Peachtree City, Ga., and to build a new facility there as well. The project would add production capacity for inhalers and auto injectors.
Plastics News estimates Gerresheimer has about $17.5 million in injection molding sales in North America,
The Peachtree City expansion will include a new, 110,000-square-foot plant near Atlanta Regional Airport. Gerresheimer expects to begin production at the new site in late 2025. The expansion will create a total of about 400 new jobs. The company currently employs about 270 people at the site.