Flexible packaging manufacturer Coveris has acquired Cambridgeshire-based St. Neots packaging to expand its cartonboard business.

The latest acquisition is expected to support the long-term plans of Coveris for growth in new as well as existing markets focusing on the growing convenience and food-to-go sectors, specifically.

Coveris UK Food & Consumer business president Mark Lapping said the acquisition of St. Neots allows the company’s customers to benefit from increased resources, shared knowledge and improved innovation potential.

"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," Lapping added.

St. Neots two facilities in Cambridgeshire, along with sourcing office in Hong Kong will support Coveris’ existing cartonboard operation in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

With around 2,000 staff and 16 UK sites, the acquisition is said to position Coveris’ UK Food & Consumer sales of more than £400m.

St. Neots, which was established in 1994, provides cartonboard solutions for the food-to-go and convenience markets.

The company supplies film-lined sandwich packaging, bespoke cartons and other consumer products to the leading retail and foodservice customers in UK.

The firm has recently bought UK’s first KBA Rapida 145 large format press, which is expected to deliver 40% more cartonboard capacity.