Ebersdorf bei Coburg, 09th of October 2024 +++ As part of its strategy for the future, Schumacher Packaging has reached an agreement for its business in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands to be acquired by Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper. Co-CEOs Björn and Hendrik Schumacher will remain on board as a strategic adviser and Chief Operating Officer of the solid board business respectively to ensure a smooth transition and support the sucessfull development of the combined business.

The Acquisition comprises seven corrugated converting plants, two solid board mills, and four solid board converting plants, representing around 2,200 employees. This includes the highly innovative mega-box plants in Greven and Ebersdorf, which have best-in-class production speed and operational efficiency as well as a highly skilled workforce with a culture aligned with Mondi’s.

Mondi is one of the world's leading packaging producers, with a broad range of innovative solutions for consumer and industrial end-use applications and revenues of EUR 7.3 billion in 2023. Mondi’s 22,000 employees work across 100 production sites in more than 30 countries, with key operations in Europe, North America and Africa.

‘Our aim was to find a company that shares our entrepreneurial vision for the industry and has the size and strength to actively and sustainably shape the future of packaging. We have found an ideal partner for this in Mondi,’ explains Björn Schumacher, CEO of Schumacher Packaging.

This acquisition will enable Mondi to expand its corrugated converting footprint in Western Europe and significantly strengthen its position in Germany, Europe's largest packaging market. The two companies share a strong focus on values and high ambitions and standards in terms of quality, environmental protection, the use of renewable energy and the achievement of ambitious sustainability goals.

The transaction, which is subject to certain customary regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the first half of 2025.

Commenting on the Acquisition, Andrew King, Mondi Group CEO, said:

“Our focus is on investing to meet the growing market demand for sustainable packaging while driving value for our stakeholders. This acquisition significantly increases our corrugated converting capacity, extends our reach across Western Europe, and offers strong downstream integration opportunities, while broadening our customer offering with a complementary fibre-based product range. 

“We are delighted to be acquiring these assets and look forward to welcoming our new Schumacher colleagues and customers to Mondi. On completion, Mondi will have an enhanced customer proposition and a strong platform for further growth.”

Owner family continues its course of innovation and sustainability

Mondi is looking forward to working with the local management teams at all locations, and benefiting from the extensive experience of co-CEOs Björn and Hendrik Schumacher as a strategic adviser and Chief Operating Officer of the solid board business respectively. This will ensure continuity for customers and employees, and support a continued focus on innovation and sustainability strategy.

‘We are very pleased about the agreement with Mondi and look forward to helping to shape the future as an even stronger group,’ said Björn Schumacher. ‘We have created the conditions to remain a strong partner for our customers in the coming years with regard to security of supply, customer proximity and innovation.’

Strong partners as part of the future strategy

The agreement with Mondi is part of Schumacher Packaging's strategy for the future. This was presented in July of this year and aims to integrate the healthy company, which has been built up over three generations, into larger, more international companies. As part of Mondi we will be stronger, and more innovative, creating even greater customer proximity than Schumacher Packaging could achieve alone.

Future solutions

A similar solution was agreed with the Spanish Saica Group for Schumacher Packaging's subsidiary in Poland back in July, and is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities and the fulfilment of certain preconditions. Saica is taking over all sites there - two state-of-the-art corrugated cardboard plants in Bydgoszcz and Wroclaw, two paper mills, one of which was completely modernised in 2023, and three service centres - as well as all employees and management.

Björn Schumacher: ‘The fact that we have found two renowned partners for both our Polish subsidiary in Poland and Schumacher Packaging Group’s Western European operations within a very short space of time, who are ideally suited to our objectives, is impressive proof of the strength and attractiveness of our company.’