VPK Group reached an agreement to acquire a minority share in Ribble, the UK corrugated cardboard company specialising in fanfold. A strategic step towards a future expansion of VPK Group’s fit2size® product offering and geographical coverage.
Ribble traces its origins back to 1938 and is based in Oldham, Lancashire. The company achieved a turnover of €40 million in 2022 and employs more than 100 people. With more than 80 years of experience in the corrugated board industry, 30 years of which has been in fanfold, Ribble is one of the leading manufacturers of fanfold in the UK.
Long-term strategy in the fanfold market
Acquiring a minority share in Ribble fits perfectly into VPK’s long-term vision and objective to invest in sustainable growth and further develop its vertically integrated business model across Europe.
Through the recent acquisition of Zetacarton in Italy – producer of fanfold and niche products such as big-box packaging – and the available fanfold production capacity in Alizay, France, VPK Group will be able to serve e-commerce logistics distribution centres across Europe.
Having its own nearby paper mills in Belgium and France, VPK has a guaranteed supply of recycled paper used as raw material for the production of corrugated packaging.
Pierre Macharis, CEO of VPK Group said, “At VPK Group, we are committed to sustainable practices and always want to go the extra mile to deliver sustainable packaging solutions to our customers. Ribble shares VPK’s focus on sustainability. We look forward to extending our relationship with Ribble in the future allowing us to combine our expertise and develop improved solutions that contribute to reducing the customer’s carbon footprint.”
Stephen Rector, Managing Director of Ribble said, “Over the last 5 years, Ribble has invested heavily into all areas of its business and has created a UK market leading position in fanfold. We believe that we have found an ideal partner who shares our values and will support our growth ambition in the rapidly developing market for sustainable packaging.”
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