The InterFlex Group, which has facilities in Dalkeith, Scotland as well as the USA, and Brazil, acquired the Sunderland-based firm in conjunction with its equity investment partner, Red Diamond Capital.

EBR Limited, the flexible packaging supplier to the UK bakery and snack food sectors, will trade as the InterFlex Group in its 9,000sqm Sunderland site alongside the Dalkeith arm of the company.

The InterFlex Group expects the acquisition will allow it "to compete across multiple market sectors and expands its product lines" to include a range of film and paper laminations, cold seal and coated structures as well as wax paper and polythene bags.

In addition, EBR’s senior managers have taken on "key leadership roles in the UK operation" and have become shareholders in InterFlex group.

EBR is headed by managing director Peter Seward as managing director, reported a pre-tax profit of £361,144 for the six months to 31 March 2007.

The printer and converter runs a press battery that includes two Windmoeller & Holscher presses, a six-colour and a 10-colour in addition to two eight-colour Comexi presses and an eight- colour Flexotecnica machine.

InterFlex Group has also secured an additional 2,320sqm facility in North Carolina, US, which will provide additional printing capacity and cater for converting activities including slitting, lamination, coating, pouch and bag making.