Woodberry Packaging, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading independent packaging groups, has acquired Medica Packaging (“Medica”) and F.G. Curtis (“Curtis”), two long established British packaging manufacturers, in a deal that almost doubles the size of the group. Both businesses will continue to operate under their existing brands and management, with their teams remaining and customer and supplier relationships maintained.
The acquisition strengthens Woodberry’s position across Europe and broadens its capability across pharmaceutical, healthcare and personal care packaging. The enlarged group employs around 650 people across the UK and Ireland and has a combined turnover in excess of €120 million. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Woodberry Packaging is backed by Dublin-based Woodberry Capital and has built its group by acquisition across Ireland and the UK. The acquisition of Medica and Curtis is a significant step in that growth, adding two of the most respected names in their respective markets.
Medica adds a leading position in pharmaceutical and healthcare cartons, while Curtis adds recognised expertise in cosmetics and personal care, together with one of the strongest environmental records in the sector. Combined with the group’s existing Reelvision site, the acquisition gives Woodberry three PS 9000-accredited carton sites in the UK, the pharmaceutical industry’s quality standard, with its Irish business Colorman working toward the same accreditation. For customers, the enlarged group offers a single accredited partner with the security of supply that regulated markets increasingly require.
Medica, based in Crewe, has a heritage in pharmaceutical printing dating back to 1922, when its site formed part of the Wellcome Foundation. Today it is the UK’s largest independent converter of folding cartons and leaflets for pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device customers, and was named Pharma Packaging Partner of the Year in 2021.
Curtis, based in Redhill, Surrey, was founded in 1937 and manufactures cartons for the cosmetics and personal care markets, with additional capability in healthcare. It was the first UK carton manufacturer to become a certified B Corporation and the first UK company to achieve World Land Trust carbon-balanced packaging.
Peter Santo, Chief Executive of Woodberry Packaging Group, said: “The acquisition of Medica and Curtis is a major step in building our group across Europe. This is part of a clear, long-term strategy of bringing high-quality businesses together and integrating them well to create a stronger whole. Medica is the UK’s largest independent pharmaceutical carton converter, and Curtis is one of the most respected names in cosmetics packaging. We want to learn from both teams, invest in their businesses and create opportunities none of us could achieve alone. We are one group and we are stronger together, and we are delighted to welcome both teams.”
Gerard Harford, Managing Director of Medica, said: “Joining Woodberry Packaging is an exciting step for Medica. We have built our business on the quality, compliance and security of supply that pharmaceutical customers depend on, and becoming part of a larger group gives us greater scale and investment to do more for them. Our customers will work with the same team, to the same standards, now with a wider group behind them.”
James Williams, Managing Director of Curtis, said: “Becoming part of Woodberry Packaging is a natural step for Curtis. We have built a strong reputation in cosmetics and personal care packaging, and we are one of the most sustainable carton manufacturers in the country. Joining the wider Woodberry group gives us the scale and investment to build on that, while keeping the service and standards our customers value.”