The Schur Flexibles Group (Baden / Austria; www.schur.com) has recently acquired the majority stake in Alfa Beta Roto (ABR, Athens / Greece; www.alfabetaroto.com), which produces premium flexible packaging films, laminates and bags. It brings the number of operating companies for the Austrian-based group to ten with locations in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland and now Greece. According to a statement issued by the full-line supplier of flexible packaging, group sales to more than 60 countries worldwide generate approximately EUR 230m in annual revenues. The closing of the Greek deal is scheduled to occur in the coming weeks.

Established in 1965, ABR has been a family-owned corporation, operating a single plant in Athens and two others in north-eastern Greece, in Komotini. It has built its reputation as a highly specialised producer of premium rotogravure and flexographic flexible packaging solutions for the food and healthcare industries. The majority of orders are generated in the major markets of Europe and Russia as well as the MENA countries.

After its main factory in Komotini was destroyed by fire in summer 2011, ABR invested in a brand-new, cutting-edge rotogravure printing facility on its premises. It also operates a modern solvent recovery unit and produces cylinder bodies and engravings at its subsidiary, Prisma.The Argyropoulos family will keep a minority stake and Christos Argyropoulos will continue to lead ABR as its managing director.