Business

A&R Carton, the Swedish folding carton supplier, has acquired a 33% stake in Rotherham-based Speciality Packaging Containers.

The investment, which has the option to increase to a 100% stake, supports A&R Carton's strategy to increase its offering of board-based packaging.

Speciality Packaging Containers produces paperboard containers for the food and pet food sectors. Its production facility is both hygiene (BRC) and sustainability (FSC) accredited and all its products are made from sustainable or recycled sources.

Chief executive Per Lundeen said: "This type of container is requested by many of our large key customers and SP Container's container know-how, coupled with our wide market penetration, promises a rapid expansion and a great future."

Meanwhile, Paul Nixon, chief executive of SP Containers said the deal would enable his company to gain access to major European customers.

A&R Carton employs around 2,000 employees at 14 sites in Europe, including a facility in Sheffield.

The company, which is owned by two investment companies (90%) and its management (10%) , has a turnover of around €320m.