On December 18, 2000, Bischof + Klein GmbH & Co KG (B+K, D-49525 Langerich; www.bischof-und-klein.de) took full ownership of the well-known French manufacturer of flexible industrial packaging systems, Sacherie De Pont Audemer (B.P. 232, F-27502 Pont Audemer Cedex). The company, headquartered in northern France near Le Havre and formerly part of van Leer, produces mainly industrial plastic bags and sacks and is the market leader in France for its product range. With its 190 or so employees, the company last year reported sales of about EUR 20m. From January 2001, it will be integrated as a subsidiary into the B+K Group and will be known as Bischof + Klein Sacherie De Pont Audemer.

“With this move, we have further strengthened our position as the leading manufacturer of industrial plastics packaging in Europe”, said Hartmut Scherf, spokesman for the B+K management. “Sacherie De Pont Audemer fits perfectly into our organization. It means we will be able to offer our European customers an even better service”.

The acquisition was B+K´s third big step in 2000 in its strategy to “consistently build on its strong position in the plastics packaging sector”. The company already has 11 sites in Europe, and, in spring 2000, a start was made on the construction of a new production facility in Poland. B + K Polska is due to go on stream in January 2001 to serve the eastern European markets. Also last year, B+K launched a project in Saudi Arabia with partner companies from the region to build a new plant for plastic sacks and films, and the facility in Al-Khobar is due to commence production in May 2001. The B+K Middle East Company will manufacture and market products for the flourishing Middle Eastern markets.