Ahlström Capital of Finland and the Swedish-based Accent Equity 2008 investment fund are combining their packaging operations in a new group to be called Arch Packaging. The merger - said to be a step in the direction of a possible future IPO - will strengthen the competitiveness of the constituent companies A&R Carton and Flextrus, which will continue to operate on the market as separate companies and brands.
A&R Carton is one of Europe’s leading folding carton packaging companies, while Flextrus is a flexible packaging leader in northern Europe. Together, they will be better equipped to compete on the market.
Arch Packaging Group will have an annual turnover of about €500 million and 2,000 employees and 18 factories in eight European countries. The Group will be domiciled in Malmö, Sweden. The Board of Directors will be chaired by Morten Ahlström, with Jan Ohlsson as Deputy Chairman. A&R Carton’s President and CEO, Per Lundeen, will be CEO and Flextrus CEO Per Nyström will be Deputy CEO.
With the formation of the new group, Capman will divest its interest in A&R Carton. The transaction is conditional upon approval from competition authorities.