A Packaging Group’s Generational Shift: Sonoco Acquires Weidenhammer

Introduction: Sonoco has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Weidenhammer Packaging Group, a leading European supplier of composite cans, double-layer barrels, and rigid plastic containers, for €286 million, or approximately $383 million in cash.

According to news from the e-cigarette sub-sector, Sonoco, one of the world's largest diversified packaging companies, has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Weidenhammer Packaging Group for €286 million, or approximately $383 million in cash. The final acquisition price is subject to normal adjustments for net working capital.

Headquartered in Hockenheim, Germany, Weidenhammer Packaging employs about 1,100 people and operates 13 production plants, five of which are located in Germany, with others in Belgium, France, Greece, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, Chile, and Russia. In addition to producing composite cans, double-layer barrels, and luxury tubes, Weidenhammer also utilizes advanced thin-wall injection molding technology with modern in-mold labeling to produce unique rigid plastic containers. The markets served by the company include processed foods, solid beverages, tobacco, confectionery, personal care, pet food, pharmaceuticals, and home gardening products.

According to M. Jack Sanders, President and CEO of Sonoco, the acquisition of the family-owned Weidenhammer Packaging Group will create a leading global paper-based packaging company and is expected to enhance Sonoco's global consumer goods packaging and services business, bringing annual sales to approximately $2.8 billion, or about 53% of the company's combined revenue of $5.3 billion from global consumer packaging and services. Additionally, the combination of the two companies is expected to increase Sonoco's net sales in Europe to about 21% of total sales.