Kent-based Zulu Packaging provides products for a wide range of lamination and packaging film requirements, including flexible packaging films for direct food contact, lamination films for carton producers, and a stock range of lamination films for commercial print.

The deal completed last Friday (15 July) and the four-staff business will now become a specialist division of the Premier group known as Premier Lamination Films.

Premier Paper Group managing director Michael Beever said: “I am delighted to welcome Zulu Packaging to Premier.

“Lamination films are sold very successfully in many countries across the wider JPP [Japan Pulp and Paper Company] group and we have used this experience and expertise to identify opportunities to further expand our product offer to existing and new customers.

“Many of our existing commercial print customers can now source their lamination film requirements from Premier with an extensive range of films available from stock that can be delivered with their paper order.

“It will also allow us to provide packaging converters with a greater choice of products that complements our expanding carton and graphical board business.”

He added: “From a business perspective the acquisition makes good sense. The synergies that can be achieved, particularly in the area of stockholding and distribution, means that we can offer an enhanced service with very few incremental costs and this additional range of products provides greater choice and convenience for our customers.”

Zulu Packaging managing director Steve Creates, who has a background as a chemist, commented: “We are delighted to be joining Premier and the wider JPP family. I am looking forward to working with the Premier teams to grow our business together and take our products to new areas of the market.”

Premier Paper Group was acquired by JPP in 2019 and currently employs 411 staff.