Strategic acquisition for Impress

www.packagingtoday.co.uk
June 2006

Leading metal packaging manufacturer Impress has entered into a definitive agreement with US-based private equity company Berkshire Partners to buy U.S.C Europe, the European operations of U.S Can.

The transaction is expected to be completed this Autumn subject to regulatory approvals.

The operations being bought comprise the food can business of May Verpackungen and the European aerosol activities of U.S.C Europe. In 2005 they had a combined sales turnover of €235m and employed 1,200 staff. May Verpackungen has two plants in Germany and one in Denmark, and a strong Northern European market position in cans for ready meals, vegetables and petfood. U.S.C Europe is Europe’s second largest aerosol supplier, with plants in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Impress, headquartered in Deventer, Holland, has a worldwide turnover of €1.4bn, employing around 6,500 in 43 facilities across Europe, North America, Japan and the Seychelles.

The company claims to be the world’s leading seafood can supplier, European leader in cans for paints and coatings, and the continent’s second largest food can supplier.

“This is a key strategic opportunity for Impress,” says Francis Labbé, ceo. “It will reinforce our position, extend our geographical coverage in the growing
aerosol market and strengthen our ability to serve food can customers in Northern Europe.”

For further Information, please contact:

Impress:
T: +33 (0)243 485 100

Discover Impress on: www.impressgroup.com