Flexible packaging group acquires SJP Suisse

Groupe Gascogne has acquired self-adhesive materials manufacturer SJP (Suisse) SA – formerly Panoval Label SA – from UK firm Rutland Trust.
SJP (Suisse) SA makes self-adhesive paper and plastic materials, and generated sales of EUR36.15m in 2001. It has a production capacity of 100m m per year in self-adhesive materials and 120m m in silicon-coated paper, with main markets in France, Benelux, Germany and Switzerland. SJP employs 115 staff. The company was renamed SOPAL-PANOVAL on becoming part of Groupe Gascogne.
Groupe Gascogne's acquisitions since the start of 2002 comprise Aigis (large-capacity bags) in Greece, Storopack Packaging Distribution France and SJP Suisse. These acquisitions have boosted downstream sales by EUR70m, taking the group's annual sales to over EUR640m.
The flexible packaging division's protective wraps business, which is managed by Dominique Durand and comprises Sopal in France, Sopal BV in the Netherlands and now Sopal-Panoval SA in Switzerland, generates sales of almost EUR160m per year.
Sopal is now a leading European manufacturer of sophisticated packaging materials and protective wraps. The company operates in the fields of food packaging, industrial applications, silicon-coated paper and gummed and adhesive paper.
To increase its market share, Sopal-Panoval SA, managed by Nam Nguyen, will take full advantage of Sopal's international network. Sopal generates more than 50 per cent of its sales from exports to more than 70 countries.
Philippe Simon, deputy managing director, member of Groupe Gascogne's executive board and head of development, made the following comments: 'The acquisition of SJP fits perfectly with Group Gascogne's development strategy in its downstream businesses'.