The Somercotes, UK, based Smurfit Decoprint litho laminated corrugated business has been acquired by David S Smith Packaging for an undisclosed sum.

It will now become part of the new owner’s speciality businesses, alongside the Corrugated Products litho laminated operation in Lockerbie and its litho printing facility in Carlisle.

"This acquisition will give us the opportunity to provide our customers with a much wider range of products from these sites, all produced on world class manufacturing equipment," says David S Smith Packaging director Terry Ousley. "It will further strengthen our speciality sector, which is capable of providing customers with the very best range of packaging options within the corrugated and carton board arena," he adds.

"Apart from litho laminated products, we also supply litho and roto gravure cartons from our plant in Neath, point of purchase and merchandizing displays from DSSP Display, in Ely, and speciality corrugated products from our Launceston plant".

Under the agreement, Smurfit is to continue to offer litho laminated products as part of its ‘one-stop-shop’ service, but the company will now source these products through David S Smith’s speciality businesses.

The David S Smith group has an annual turnover of £1.1billion and employs over 10,000 people in 90 sites throughout Europe.