The paper-based and corrugated packaging manufacturer announced the acquisition yesterday (3 May).

SKUK said Barnstaple, North Devon-based Atlas Packaging has a particularly strong presence in shelf-ready packaging, gift boxing, and the e-commerce sector, and offers “an exciting and broad range of innovative products”.

In its most recently filed accounts at Companies House, for the year ended 31 December 2020, the business reported a turnover of £19.3m, up from £18.1m in 2019. It employed a monthly average of 146 staff in 2020.

Eddie Fellows, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Corrugated UK & Ireland, said: “I am delighted with this acquisition and to welcome another strong professional management team into the Smurfit Kappa organisation.

“The business has an established customer base across several industries and an excellent reputation.

“This acquisition will further strengthen our ability to service the UK market and our customers with innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.”

In late 2018, Atlas Packaging took on the first Bobst ExpertFold 230 A4 folder-gluer in the UK to come with Accueject XL automated ejection capabilities.

SKUK has operations throughout the UK and is a subsidiary of Smurfit Kappa Group, which has listings on the London and Irish stock exchanges.

Last month Smurfit Kappa Group said it had decided to exit the Russian market. It had already suspended support for its Russian operations including any imports and exports and any short or long-term funding.