Two Australian packaging distributors have been acquired by St Louis, Missouri-based multinational TricorBraun for an undisclosed sum, adding to the US company's existing footprint here that has been growing since 2021.
Sydney-based spirit bottle packaging company UniquePak and Melbourne-based industrial packaging group Alplas Products will continue as standalone businesses after the acquisition, before eventually transitioning to the TricorBraun brand.
"These acquisitions broaden our capabilities for spirits and industrial packaging across Australia and New Zealand," says TricorBraun ANZ managing director Andrew Allsop.
"The UniquePak and Alplas teams are highly respected for their expertise, focus on quality, and customer service, and we look forward to investing in their continued growth."
All UniquePak and Alplas team members are expected to remain with the group, which established its presence in Australia with the purchase of Cormack Packaging in 2021, before further acquisitions of PB Packaging in 2022 and Plas-Pak WA in 2024.
UniquePak is known as a one-stop shop for design, glass bottles, closures, presentation boxes, and decoration, servicing the spirit, wine, pharma, and food industries. The US buyer plans to leverage UniquePak's expertise to expand its glass packaging offerings both in the region and globally.
"For nearly a decade, customers have relied on UniquePak for our wide range of design and sourcing capabilities, and they can continue to do so with the added benefits of TricorBraun's resources," says UniquePak managing director Travis Norman.
"TricorBraun's extensive capabilities, along with its dedication to quality and customer service, make it a perfect partner for our next chapter."
Whilst UniquePak has been in business for less than 10 years, Alplas is a family business that has been around since 1974 supplying plastic drum taps, valves and fittings for metal and plastic drums, while also offering in-house assembly services.
Since its founding, TricorBraun has partnered with management teams to successfully acquire and further accelerate growth for 44 packaging companies globally.
Canterbury Partners acted as financial advisor to TricorBraun on both transactions.