Thermoformed plastic packaging company Par-Pak Europe (Milton Keynes / UK; www.parpak.co.uk) is extending its range of products for the fresh produce sector by acquiring Holfeld Plastics (Arklow, County Wicklow / Ireland; www.holfeldplastics.com). The move is part of plans by Par-Pak Europe’s US-based parent company The Waddington Group (Covington, Kentucky; www.thewaddingtongroup.com) to extend its reach into Europe.

Holfeld Plastics, which was established in 1978 by Edmund Holfeld, produces thermoformed packaging for both the protein and produce sectors. Par-Pak Europe is mainly focused on the bakery sector, as well as supplying other markets including dairy and medical. Holfeld Plastics said the combined product range and merged technical resources will improve the newly enlarged company’s ability to serve both existing customers and potential new market sectors. Following the acquisition, Edmund Holfeld will leave the company but the existing senior management team will continue in their current roles.

The Waddington Group is a portfolio company of US private equity firm Olympus Partners (www.olympuspartners.com). It produces rigid plastic and eco-friendly foodservice disposables for the catering, grocery and retail markets and has facilities in the USA and Canada, as well as the UK.