Packaging

Graphic Packaging Holding Company Agrees to Acquire U.K. Based Benson Group

Wednesday 19. February 2014 - Acquisition enhances Graphic Packaging's European platform by broadening its offerings in Food and Consumer Products and extending the business into the Store Brand Market

Combination creates a $700+ million business in Europe
Acquisition complements Graphic Packaging’s existing Food and Beverage business in Europe and provides an opportunity to further integrate our Coated Unbleached Kraft (SUSTM) paperboard
Expected to generate $5-$7 million of synergies over the next 18 months
Benson Group had trailing twelve month sales of approximately $200 million and EBITDA of nearly $25 million
Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), a leading provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage and other consumer products companies, today announced that a European subsidiary has agreed to acquire Benson Group, a leading food and healthcare packaging company based in the U.K.
“We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of Benson Group,” said David Scheible, Graphic Packaging’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe Benson Group fits perfectly with our strategy in Europe. The acquisition broadens our Food and Consumer Products offerings and extends our reach into the Store Brand segment. The combination of Benson Group and our existing European businesses is expected to greatly enhance our folding carton business in Europe, with sales in excess of $700 million. This combination also allows us to broaden our customer base and to offer our current global customers a wider range of new products and services. Like our strategy in the United States, we are committed to growing our European business around food and beverage end markets and optimizing our supply chain footprint around our customers’ needs.”
Under the terms of the transaction, the purchase price equates to approximately $165 million. The transaction will be funded with existing cash and borrowings from the Company’s current revolving line of credit. The Benson Group operates four folding carton facilities in the U.K. that convert approximately 80,000 tons of paperboard annually.  The acquisition is subject to standard closing requirements and is expected to close in the second quarter.