Acquisitions everywhere
Ardagh Glass Group recently completed the acquisition of global metal packaging group Impress Coöperatieve U.A. for €1.7 billion ($2.2bn). The enlarged organisation will be known as Ardagh Group after both the European and US regulatory authorities approved the deal. The group will employ approximately 14,000 people and have annual revenues of over €3 billion ($4bn).
Other big players like Ball and Crown have recently made acquisitions of their own, but I’m sure executives at both companies will be keeping a close eye on goings on at Ardagh. It will be interesting to see whether or not Ardagh, which was a manufacturer of glass bottles before the takeover, looks to take on the likes of Ball and Crown in the metal packaging world.
This would be a brave move as both companies are extremely well established. Impress, a Dutch-based company, has previously specialised in cans for foods, paints and industrial products.
But it recently launched its first drinks can after producing a resealable aluminium bottle for the L’eau rouge brand.
Combining the skills and experience of staff from both Ardagh and Impress could provide the impetus that will see the newly formed Ardagh Group make inroads into the beverage can world. One thing’s for sure – others will be watching.
