Self-adhesive labelstock supplier UPM Raflatac has signed an agreement to acquire the business operations of Gascogne Laminates Switzerland SA, subject to regulatory approvals.
Gascogne Laminates Switzerland is the labelstock business of Gascogne Group – said to be the only player in the French wood industry fully integrated throughout the entire chain of the wood-paper-conversion sector.
With labelstock operations sales totaling €44 million in 2011, Gascogne employs approximately 110 people in its factory in Martigny, Switzerland.
“UPM Raflatac in Europe has focused in the past years especially in growth in special labelstock products,” says the Finland-based forest industry company’s senior VP, EMEA, Tapio Kolunsarka.
“Gascogne Laminates has a strong and long-standing brand in this product area in Europe and through this acquisition we are proud to add those capabilities to our product platform.
“As a result of this transaction, customers will enjoy stronger speciality offering available through UPM Raflatac’s extensive distribution network.”
Gascogne Group CEO Frédéric Doulcet adds: “We strongly believe that the combination of UPM Raflatac and Gascogne’s labelstock operations will result in strong benefits for all stakeholders.”
UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 13 factories on six continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. The company employs 2,400 people and made sales of over €1.1 billion (US$1.6 billion) in 2011.
In early June 2012, UPM Raflatac announced the availability of its ProLiner PP30 with a range of quality film label faces for personal care applications. According to the company, label printers can: “Achieve higher productivity, create superior quality labels, and get cash back by recycling used liner.”
