The acquisition of the two companies will help Zeus strengthen its position in the retail, food and beverage, and e-commerce packaging sectors and keep the Irish packaging firm on target to achieve annualised revenue of €500m next year
Richard Towers – Managing Director Swanline; Keith Ockenden - CEO Zeus Group; Nick Kirby – Group CEO Swanline. (Credit: Zeus Packaging Group)
Irish packaging solutions provider Zeus has acquired two UK-based packaging firms, Swanline Group and its sister company BoxMart, in a deal valued at more than €25m.
Founded in 2001, Swanline Group provides paper-based materials, print and conversion services to the packaging and point-of-sale sectors.
The company employs more than 150 people. It has four purpose-built sites featuring large-format infrastructure, screen and digital printing and converting operations, as well as warehousing and distribution capabilities.
Based in Shenstone, Staffordshire, BoxMart is engaged in providing UK-made gift, retail and e-commerce packaging. The company’s customers include Lush, Fever Tree and Moet Hennessy.
Together, the two packaging companies have total revenue of over €30m.
The acquisition of the two companies will help Zeus strengthen its position in the retail, food and beverage, and e-commerce packaging sectors.
It will also keep the Irish packaging firm on target to achieve annualised revenue of €500m next year.
Zeus CEO Keith Ockenden said: “It is a significant day for Zeus as we continue our current investment strategy with the acquisition of two very strong players in the UK packaging sector.
“Swanline Group and BoxMart bring with them long-established customer bases, in-depth knowledge about their respective sectors, and dedicated diverse teams who are committed to serving their customers.
“As a combined entity, we have enhanced our reach and offering across the UK, with further opportunity to maximise efficiencies across our distribution and supply chains, whilst broadening our product and service offerings to our existing customers.”
Zeus said that the two deals will keep the company on track to be the largest sole shareholder packaging company in the world by next year.
Zeus founder Brian O’Sullivan said: “Our journey over the years has provided opportunities to strengthen our capability, widen our offering and learn new disciplines.
“The addition of these businesses into our family will complement the range of solutions we provide our customers, strengthen design, creativity and innovation within packaging and introduce a depth of experience within new sectors.”