Graphic Packaging International makes its second acquisition of the year

Graphic Packaging International, part of Graphic Packaging Holding, has agreed to acquire Walter G. Anderson, (WG Anderson), including two converting facilities, expected to close in Q1, 2016.

WG Anderson is a folding carton manufacturer for products such as cereal boxes, with a focus on store branded food and consumer products markets. 

Folding carton converting facilities

It has two sheet-fed folding carton converting facilities located in Hamel, Minnesota and Newton, Iowa, US.

Michael Doss, president/CEO, Graphic Packaging, said the acquisition is a continuation of its strategy to grow in attractive geographies and end markets. It recently agreed to acquire Colorpak, a folding carton supplier in Australia and New Zealand for $60m. 

Marc Anderson, president/CEO, WG Anderson, said its history of providing customers with value added packaging, speed to market, and a customer focused culture will strengthen Graphic Packaging's global position in the food and consumer product packaging markets.

"We are delighted to join the Graphic Packaging team. Our employees and customers will benefit from this combination,” he added.

Colorpak

Colorpak employs 580 staff and has three folding carton facilities in Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland that convert approximately 38,000 tons of paperboard a year into folding cartons for the F&B (food, confectionery, wine) and consumer product sector.

In addition to manufacturing folding cartons, it makes unbleached paperboard, coated recycled board, microwave packaging and machinery.

While Graphic Packaging currently has a well-established presence in Australia, the acquisition of Colorpak and its three folding carton manufacturing facilities allows us to expand our supply chain in the Australia and New Zealand food, beverage and consumer product markets,” said Doss.