The three acquired businesses: 1st Class Packaging in Northampton; Spalding-based Donington Packaging Supplies; and Parkside Packaging in Coventry were not in administration, but have been up-for-sale since the rest of the Paperlinx UK business was placed into administration at the beginning of April.
Antalis managing director David Hunter said the three companies had combined turnover of more than £20m, and that he and his team were “thrilled to bits” at securing the business.
“We were interested from day one. We looked at all the opportunities Paperlinx had to offer, and had wide-ranging discussions with Deloitte. But these three packaging businesses were the bits we were really interested in,” he said.
“I want to send out a strong message to staff, customers and suppliers about how pleased and proud we are to secure this business and make it part of the Antalis family.”
The terms of the deal were not disclosed. It makes Antalis a “significant player” in the sector, Hunter said, propelling its packaging sales to over £80m.
The three firms predominantly serve local customers, within a 30-mile radius of each location. All 63 employees have been retained.
“They have a core product range, with a strong overlay focused on the local market. Donington, for example, is very much in agricultural area,” Hunter explained. “They are a perfect fit because we operate on a national basis in the UK and Ireland. This gives us a slightly different business model and part of the attraction is seeing what we can learn from them.
“I’m keen to see how we can develop those businesses and work with the teams – everyone wins in this,” he added.
There are no plans for any immediate name changes, although the companies will be branded as being part of the Antalis family.
Separately, Hunter said that in the commercial print market Antalis had successfully stuck to its plans following the sudden shutdown at Paperlinx UK. “There have been no crises. I’m very proud that we are keeping service going for customers old and new.”
