Sonoco completes purchase of Weidenhammer Packaging Group

U.S.-based packaging supplier Sonoco has completed its acquisition of Weidenhammer Packaging Group (WPG), said to be Europe’s leading provider of composite cans, composite drums, and rigid plastic containers.

The purchase price was approximately US$360 million in cash.

“The acquisition creates a global leader in rigid packaging and is expected to increase Sonoco’s combined global consumer-related packaging and services business to approximately US$2.8 billion in annual sales,” said M. Jack Sanders, president and CEO of Hartsville, N.C.-based Sonoco.

Headquartered in Hockenheim, Germany, Weidenhammer has approximately 1,100 employees and operates 13 production facilities, including five in Germany, along with individual plants in Belgium, France, Greece, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, the U.S., Chile and Russia.