Harlands md Ian Wright, who led the management buyout at the self-adhesive label producer in 2003, said: "There was a distinct strategic fit between ourselves and Clondalkin's Specialist Packaging Division. We were looking to make a serious move into Poland in the very near future, as we view the Eastern European market as key to our development. The discussions we had with Clondalkin uncovered some excellent potential synergies."
Harlands Labels, which employs 67, joins companies like Ditone Labels and Boxes Prestige in the Specialist Packaging Division but, Clondalkin says, will "maintain a level of autonomy together with its strong brand". John Fitzgerald, ceo of Clondalkin's Specialist Packaging Division, explains: "The Harlands brand will become the cornerstone of our division's development. The brand's development will now accelerate in Eastern Europe and the business will set up a factory (in Lublin) alongside our already established Boxes Prestige factory. We are committed to developing the business in the UK and Europe and the coming year will see Harlands consolidate its position as one of the premier self-adhesive label printers anywhere in the world."
Harlands produces labels for customers in the health and beauty, toiletries, alcoholic beverages and premium food sectors.
