The deal, completed 18 December, saw Nova buy 100% of Onboard’s shares from the 50/50 joint venture owned by Paul Jundu, Onboard CEO, and the Remshalden, Germany-headquartered Klingele Paper and Packaging Group, after they jointly decided to sell the corrugated board manufacturer.
Jundu will stay on to lead Wolverhampton-based Onboard under the new ownership with the “full backing” of the Eren family.
He said: “Our intention is to simply continue the impressive journey of Onboard in an organic way and improve our service levels even more, which the second corrugator will allow us to do. I am so proud of our team and what this company has achieved to date.
“The combination of quality sheets delivered in best-in-market lead times at competitive prices has facilitated huge growth over the last few years.”
Speaking to Printweek, Jundu added that if anything, he felt even more empowered to look after the firm’s customer base of independent UK box plants.
“Onboard has always taken pride in the stand of customer services we provide, and the value for money. I’m 100% committed for the next five years, and if my health allows I’d go on forever.
“I’m the type to leave in a box – I’m no beach boy!”
The Wolverhampton-based firm, which operates from a 13,000sqm factory, saw 25% organic growth in volumes of board sold in 2024, limited only by existing capacity according to Jundu.
Onboard is consequently undergoing installation of a second BHS Corrugated 2.8m corrugator, which will increase production to 250m/sqm annually, or 125,000 tonnes.
The machine is capable of producing A, E, C, P, BB, BP EB, CA and BC flutes. Onboard exclusively uses FSC-certified suppliers for its container board.
The acquisition is Eren's second major investment in the UK, following its acquisition and subsequent investment in Wales' Shotton paper mill, based in Deeside.
According to current plans, the site will become the UK's largest paper manufacturing facility once works are complete, following a £1bn investment programme that includes £150m of government support.
