Macfarlane Group acquires Carters Packaging in Cornwall

Following its recent acquisition of GWP Group, Macfarlane Group has now completed the acquisition of Carters Packaging Ltd in Cornwall.

Carters is a well-established business, based in Redruth, Cornwall, and is the leading distributor of protective packaging in the South-West of England. The acquisition is in line with Macfarlane’s strategy of building its business through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth.

Macfarlane has acquired 100% of Carters for a maximum cash consideration of £4.5m (including an earn-out over two years of £1.5m).  The expected net assets on completion are £0.9m. The consideration will be financed through the Group’s recently extended £30m bank facility. For the year ended 31 March 2020, Carters generated sales of £4.2m and pre-tax profits of £0.5m.

Carters focuses principally on customers within Cornwall and Devon from its 25,000 sq ft facility in Redruth and will benefit from access to Macfarlane’s extended range of protective packaging products and services.  The business has an experienced team of 25 employees, including its two Directors, all of whom will remain with the business following the acquisition.

Peter Atkinson, Chief Executive of Macfarlane, said, “Carters is a well-run, successful protective packaging distributor that meets our strict acquisition criteria and its acquisition will be earnings-enhancing in its first full year in the Group.  I am confident that the business will prove to be an excellent acquisition improving our geographic penetration and extending our customer reach in the South West of England.”

Join our Newsletter

Sign up to our weekly newsletters for updates on articles, interviews and events

Sign up