Junya Suzuki, CEO of Nissha Printing states: “I am excited to start working with colleagues from AR Metallizing, and I cannot wait to see the synergetic effect between Nissha and AR Metallizing. This is going to be the most powerful chemistry.”
AR Metallizing is the market leader in the production of metallized paper for labels. Its core market is labelling, with special focus on beer labels. The Group generates a turnover of €110 million euros and supplies its products worldwide to customers from three production sites in Belgium, Italy and the United States.
Bart Devos explains: “Our products are recognized in the market for their aesthetic appearance, functionality and printing friendliness. As sustainability becomes more and more important in our line of industry, the environmental impact of our products is also a very important feature”.
De Tijd (a Belgian newspaper that focuses on business and economics) recently listed AR Metallizing as one of the 50 most innovative companies in Belgium for its recyclable premium packaging. Until recently, plastic was still needed for the glossy packaging of premium brands. AR Metallizing offers ecological and sustainable alternative paper, however, on which a razor-thin layer of aluminium is steamed, even thinner than the ink layer on a newspaper. Unlike conventional products, this metallized paper is 99% biodegradable.
Over the past years, AR Metallizing’s management has successfully driven the Group’s growth. The American company Vacumet was taken over and new products were added to the product portfolio, including the ecological laminated metallized paperboard. Nissha Printing expects the AR Metallizing Group to grow further, thanks in part to the sustainability of their products.
AR Metallizing aspires to continue to grow and invest in its core business, particularly labels. As Bart Devos explains: “We have a good market position, great products, skilled and enthusiastic employees, a large customer base and reliable suppliers. With Nissha Printing, AR Metallizing will be able to tap new markets and strengthen its position in its core market (labelling) further.”
AR Metallizing is valued at €136 million euros (enterprise value). The takeover has no impact on employment for the company’s 284 employees. Bart Devos and other key executives will stay on.
