Merger with Paardekooper Group

2011/16

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PRESS RELEASE
20 April 2011

DOUBLE WIN FOR PAARDEKOOPER GROUP

Paardekooper Group, a wholesaler that specialises in packaging materials and disposables and one of the largest companies of its kind in Europe, has welcomed two other companies on board.

Paardekooper Group and Halma Packaging (which has headquarters in Wijchen in the Netherlands and offices in the UK and China) have signed an agreement to combine their activities. Halma Packaging provides services for clients such as food processing companies, supermarkets, airlines and caterers. Its offices and logistics operations in the Netherlands will be physically integrated in Beuningen where Paardekooper subsidiary Depa is located.

The current owner of Halma Packaging, Maarten Halma, will manage the combined operations in Beuningen and will also take up a seat on the Board of Directors of Paardekooper Group, which is located in Oud-Beijerland. As a result of the transaction Maarten Halma now holds shares in Paardekooper Group and will also succeed Jan Paardekooper as CEO of the new Paardekooper Group in due course.

In addition to Halma Packaging, Paardekooper Group has also taken over the activities of Mecari Plastics, an important supplier of flexible plastic packaging with wholesale and direct clients in food and non-food industries. The offices and logistics operations of Mecari Plastics, which are located in Werkendam, will be physically integrated in Oud-Beijerland.

The current Managing Director of Mecari Plastics, Hans Wijgers, will manage Paardekooper’s industrial sales.

Jan Paardekooper, principal shareholder and Managing Director of Paardekooper Group, said: “The agreements we have signed with Halma Packaging and Mecari Plastics strengthen the position of Paardekooper Group in several important market segments. The fact that they are both successful and innovative companies will allow us to increase our specialisation. The agreements also represent a milestone for Paardekooper Group because our combined revenues now top the € 100 million mark. We extend a very warm welcome to both companies!”

Paardekooper has also announced that Martin van Es (whose previous roles include Managing Director of Gelpa Verpakkingsgroep and Managing Director of Bunzl Benelux) will take up a seat on the Board of Directors of Paardekooper Group on 9 May 2011. Martin van Es has been appointed to assist the company during this phase of rapid growth.
 

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