The Schumacher Packaging Group has acquired a majority interest in the Kaierde board mill in Delligsen, Germany. In doing so, this family-owned business has increased its overall capacity for solid board by 50% – from 50,000 tons to a total of 75,000 tons per year. This share is part of the most ambitious investment programme in the company’s 70-year history, totalling €700m by 2025.
“The Kaierde board mill offers us an outstanding opportunity to expand our work in the solid board sector. When demand increases or resource shortages lead to production bottlenecks, this takeover will enable us to provide our customers with reliable future prospects, guaranteeing supply reliability in the future,” says Hendrik Schumacher, CEO, Schumacher Packaging Group.
Kaierde, a business based in Lower Saxony and steeped in tradition, has been an established presence on the market for over 30 years and produces around 25,000 tons of high-quality grey and brown board every year. The Gravenkamp family will remain involved even after Schumacher Packaging comes on board. Stephan Gravenkamp will continue to oversee and guide the site in Lower Saxony as CEO. Working together with Schumacher Packaging, the plan is to continue developing the site, which is currently home to around 60 members of staff. Plans to expand its capacity are already in motion.
The Schumacher Packaging Group, which encompasses 18 sites in Europe following this acquisition, already operates a board mill in Schwarzenberg, nestled in the Ore Mountains, within the solid board sector, as well as a solid board converting facility in Hauenstein, in the Palatine region.
From left to right: Wolfgang Schmitz, Achim Gravenkamp, Angelika Gravenkamp, Stephan Gravenkamp (Managing Director Kaierde), Randolf Hellmann and Hendrik Schumacher.
