Sonoco acquires Plastic Packaging Inc.

The diversified global packaging company Sonoco, headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina, has acquired Plastic Packaging Inc. (PPI), a privately held Hickory, North Carolina-based flexible packaging company.

Founded in 1957, PPI specializes in short-run, customized flexible packaging for consumer brands in markets including:

• food products (i.e., frozen foods, baked goods and seafood);
• pet products (i.e., dry food, bird seed and litter);
• confection (i.e., seasonal promotions, heat-sealed chocolate packaging, and hard and soft candy); and
• health and personal care (i.e., nutraceuticals, diapers, tissues and wipes).

Through the acquisition, Sonoco says it gains additional lamination, wide and narrow web flexographic printing and pouch and bag forming capabilities that will allow the company to better serve its current customers while expanding its customer base.

“This acquisition grows our flexible packaging assets in the Southeast U.S., adding short-run capabilities that allow us to offer additional specialty and customization capabilities to our customers,” says Rob Tiede, Sonoco senior vice president for global consumer solutions. “PPI complements Sonoco’s existing technologies and leverages our expertise in flexible packaging, while expanding our customer base in complementary markets.”

PPI says it expects 2016 sales of approximately $42 million and operates two manufacturing facilities in Hickory and in Forest City, North Carolina, with approximately 170 employees.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of nearly $5 billion, the company has 20,800 employees working in more than 300 operations in 35 countries.