Photo courtesy of Sabert Corp. Europe
The Belgium-based Sabert Corp. Europe business unit of New Jersey-based packaging producer Sabert has announced its acquisition of Colpac Ltd., which it describes as a leading United Kingdom-based manufacturer of sustainable paperboard packaging for the food service and industrial markets.
Sabert describes Colpac as having been founded in 1937 and as having “built a strong reputation for innovation, quality and customer service across its extensive range of food packaging solutions.”
On its website, Colpac says it “works closely” with outside organizations to design for recyclability, including using the U.K. government’s Recyclability Assessment Methodology.
Sabert says the acquisition enhances its presence in the U.K., Irish and European markets that will help it offer an expanded product portfolio that includes “a stronger platform for sustainable innovation.”
“As someone who has worked with Colpac both as a customer and more recently as a competitor, I’ve always held deep respect for the business,” says Alex Noake, managing director of Sabert’s European business area.
Remarks Olivia Goldman, owner of Colpac, “I look forward to seeing the newly combined Sabert and Colpac team build on the foundations [former CEO Neil Goldman] so carefully constructed, taking the creativity, dedication to customer service and passion for sustainable food packaging to even greater heights.”
The Sayreville, New Jersey headquarters office of Sabert Corp. also has announced the appointment of Ricardo De Genova as its senior vice president of innovation, reporting directly to CEO Paul McCann.
In the role, De Genova will oversee several Sabert departments with the intention of “building upon the company’s legacy of food packaging innovation to drive customer success and advance sustainability through technology and collaboration.”
“Ricardo’s track record in identifying emerging trends and developing breakthrough products aligns perfectly with Sabert’s vision to be our customers’ trusted sustainable food packaging solutions provider,” says McCann. “His expertise and passion for our industry will help us continue to distinguish Sabert as a global innovation leader, especially as we invest in new materials and technologies that support our customers’ sustainability goals.”
De Genova has more than three decades of experience in the packaging and other industry sectors, having most recently served as Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and New Business at Atlanta-based packaging and paperboard producer Graphic Packaging International. His previous employers include Solenis LLC, Ashland Inc., Cargill and Dow Chemical Co.
“Sabert’s rich history of innovation and long-standing commitment to sustainability are just some of the reasons I’m excited to partner with the team to create smart, safe and inspiring packaging solutions for tomorrow’s world,” says De Genova.
“I strongly believe Sabert is the place to reinvent how food packaging connects people to the meals they love, while setting new standards for quality, safety and sustainability,” he adds.