Business

Global packaging giant Sonoco said it will "aggressively expand Matrix's capacity to meet customer demands both in North America and globally", after completing the purchase of the US- and Canada-based firm.

Sonoco completed the £105m ($210m) purchase of blow-moulded plastic container firm Matrix, which was auctioned earlier this year. The sale was cleared by the US Federal Trade Commission and US Justice Department at the end of last week.

“Matrix substantially increases our blow-moulded container manufacturing size and scope,” said Roger Schrum, Sonoco vice president of investor relations and corporate affairs.

Matrix operates six plants in the US and Canada, employing about 860 staff. It manufactures custom-designed blow-moulded rigid plastic containers and injection-moulded products for personal care, household chemicals and pharmaceutical products.

The purchase will allow Sonoco to increase its presence in the personal care bottling market and get business from big brands, including Johnson & Johnson and Unilever, said Schrum.

Sonoco already has a blow-moulded container plant in Wisconsin and is building another in Ohio. Both produce bottles for processed foods, including nutritional drinks.