Zeus purchase boosts presence in Britain

IRISH firm Zeus Packaging has increased its presence in the British market through the purchase of Stevenage-based packaging distribution company, All Purpose Packaging for €11 million.

The English company generated sales of €15.9m in its latest financial year, up to the end of last March.

Dublin-headquartered Zeus — which specialises in the retail, industrial and food sectors — has also spent another €8m closer to home in buying the Bray, Co Wicklow-based supplier of refuse sacks and bin liners, Omega Packaging.

The acquisitions bring Zeus’ turnover to more than €90m.

The purchase of All Purpose Packaging significantly increases Zeus’ standing in the British packaging market. Last year, it bought English-based company, Fillmore Packaging and Coogan & Watts in Northern Ireland.

Zeus chief executive, Brian O’Sullivan said: “We are now the largest independent packaging company in Ireland and Britain.

“Following the acquisition, in particular, of All Purpose Packaging, we now have a very strong foothold in the British market and look forward to growing the business, both there and further afield, over the coming years.”

Omega is one of the leading Irish manufacturers of bin liner bags and refuse sacks.

Zeus’ expanded business now stretches across Ireland, Britain and Lithuania. Currently employing 250 staff — most of whom work at its three Irish operations in Dublin, Cork and Belfast — it has plans to expand on the European mainland.