Zeus Packaging, owned by Castlelyons native and Fermoy man, Brian O’Sullivan, announced on Tuesday the acquisition of Austrian-based food packaging solutions business, Petruzalek, which was part of Sirap-Gema Group.
The seventh business to be integrated into the Zeus family during the past 18 months, the acquisition further expands and strengthens Zeus’s geographic presence across 12 countries in Western, Central and Eastern Europe.
In 2020, Petruzalek achieved revenues of approximately €58 million, net assets of €16 million and EBITDA of €2.5 million. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum from Italian investment holding company, Italmobiliare, completes a three-year €40 million acquisition strategy for Zeus.
The leading independent packaging manufacturer and distributor, established by Mr O’Sullivan in 1998, now employs 670 people across 26 countries, 150 of these in Ireland.
The group’s turnover has grown substantially over the past three years, reaching €208m in 2020 and expected to reach €280m for 2021.
STRENGTHENING OPERATIONS
Commenting on this latest acquisition, company founder Brian O’Sullivan said: “In 2020, despite the pandemic, Zeus reached a milestone with revenues exceeding €200 million. With today’s announcement, Zeus remains on track to become the largest independent packaging distribution business in Europe.
“The acquisition of Petruzalek not only further builds on our scale, but strengthens our operating platform across Europe.”
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
While Zeus CEO, Keith Ockenden said: “This latest acquisition is the largest in our strategic expansion, and along with recent investments in our leadership operational infrastructure, is an integral part of Zeus’s long-term growth strategy.
“The purchase of Petruzalek significantly extends our reach into new markets, brings complementary diversification to our product range and further enhances our client network.
“Petruzalek’s product range utilises low environmental impact renewable, recyclable and compostable materials, enabling us to further deepen our focus on sustainability in 2021. As always, we are committed to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for our valued clients in Ireland, the UK and across Europe.
“This move enables a true European supply solution for customers looking to consolidate supply chains and maximise cost efficiencies.”
Assisting Zeus in the purchase of Petruzalek with funding, tax and legal advice, and financial due diligence were Sean O’Keefe, Ulster Bank; Eversheds Sutherland; Deloitte Ireland; bpv Hügel; McMahon O’Brien Tynan; Gattai, Minoli, Agostinelli & Partners, Milan; and EY, Vienna and Milan.
