Sonoco to Acquire Weidenhammer Packaging Group for Approximately $383M in Cash

Sonoco

today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Weidenhammer Packaging Group, Europe's leading provider of composite cans along with composite drums and rigid plastic containers, for €286 million, or approximately $383 million, in cash. The final consideration is subject to a normal adjustment of net working capital. Weidenhammer Packaging, headquartered in Hockenheim, Germany, has approximately 1,100 employees and operates 13 production facilities, including five in Germany, along with individual plants in Belgium, France, Greece, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, Chile and Russia. In addition to producing composite cans, drums and luxury tubes, Weidenhammer produces unique rigid plastic containers using state-of-the-art thin-walled injection molding technology with modern in-mold labeling. Markets served by the company include processed foods, powdered beverages, tobacco, confectionery, personal care, pet food, pharmaceuticals and home and garden products. According to M. Jack Sanders, Sonoco president and chief executive officer, the acquisition of family-owned Weidenhammer Packaging Group will create a global leader in rigid paper packaging and is expected to increase Sonoco's global consumer-related packaging and services business to approximately $2.8 billion in annual sales or approximately 53