With annual sales of €18m (£15.4m) and 120 staff, JHG provides packaging, label production, office supplies, and personal protective equipment across multiple sectors including retail, food and beverage production, logistics and distribution.

The deal, which was announced today (14 June), forms the next part of Zeus Group’s 2023 growth strategy that is expected to see group revenues surpass €500m.

Zeus Group CEO Keith Ockenden said: “We are tremendously excited about the prospects of this acquisition of one of Northern Ireland’s oldest packaging businesses. By harnessing the synergies between Zeus and James Hamilton Group across the island of Ireland, we can offer a more comprehensive range of solutions and manufacturing capabilities.

“Our commitment is to deliver exceptional value to our customers while driving innovation and sustainable practices.

“By joining forces with James Hamilton Group, Zeus will expand its current offering in the food and retail packaging sector, leveraging the combined purchasing power and unlocking operational efficiencies across our combined operations in Northern Ireland.

“With an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, the collaboration between the two companies will result in an enhanced service, product quality, and manufacturing capabilities, ensuring effective fulfilment of customers’ unique requirements.”

With JHG’s expertise in retail food packaging, food sleeves and cartons, and label production, Zeus said the deal would increase its ability to cater to the needs of customers in the food, beverage, and retail industries.

Keith Hamilton, managing director of JHG, said: “We have enjoyed watching our business expand and evolve during its 100-year history, we are delighted to have finalised an agreement with Brian and his team.

“It was important that we found a partner who shared the same ‘family’ values as ourselves, a business who will further invest, look after our staff and importantly, bring a more enhanced offering to our loyal customers.”

JHG will continue to operate under its existing name and brand.

Zeus had already recently added a prior €75m of revenue through acquisition. It acquired Polpack in Poland in February, which followed its acquisition of Swanline Group and its sister company BoxMart, as well as Canadian agricultural supply business Agri-Flex, last year.

Earlier this year the group opened a new 6,500sqm logistics facility in Watergrasshill, Cork, as part of its national logistics and distribution strategy.