Coveris Acquires St. Neots Packaging

Coveris, Chicago, Ill., USA, has acquired U.K.-based St. Neots packaging as part of a strategic move to support their continued growth in cartonboard. Established in 1994, St. Neots is a manufacturer of cartonboard solutions for the food-to-go and convenience markets. Supplying film-lined sandwich packaging, bespoke cartons, and other consumer products to the U.K.'s major retail and foodservice customers, St. Neots' revenue has doubled in the past five years.

"St. Neots provides a hugely exciting opportunity for Coveris, enabling our customers to benefit from increased resources, shared knowledge and enhanced innovation potential," said Mark Lapping, president of Coveris' U.K. Food & Consumer business. "As a great addition to our existing cartonboard operation, the move enables us to provide a dedicated packaging offering to better serve customers in both FMCG cartonboard and food-to-go packaging markets."

The strategic acquisition of St. Neots supports Coveris' long-term plans for growth in new and existing markets, with a particular focus on the growing convenience and food-to-go sectors. The two St. Neots' facilities in Cambridgeshire and sourcing office in Hong Kong complement Coveris' existing cartonboard operation in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. 

This news comes after St. Neots recently announced that it had significantly increased capacity following its investment in U.K.'s first KBA Rapida 145 large format press to deliver 40% more cartonboard capacity.

With more than 200 staff based in the U.K. and Hong Kong, St. Neots brings considerable experience, unique capabilities, and a leading reputation for service. Enabling the business to target a growing interest in global convenience markets, the move also supports the company's existing foodservice offering in the U.K. and Europe.

Andy Ducker, St. Neots chairman, noted that "the backing of the Coveris group marks a major development for St. Neots and enables the business to accelerate growth to its next phase. With Coveris' experience, shared values of service and innovation, and extensive knowledge of our products, the acquisition provides a very exciting opportunity for our staff and customers to grow."

The acquisition now places Coveris' U.K. Food & Consumer sales in excess of £400 million with more than 2,000 staff and 16 U.K. sites.

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