Spicers acquires Universal to boost Industrials

Spicers has acquired Universal Packaging (UPL), a leading supplier of pallet wrapping film, machinery, application and optimisation, which operates throughout New Zealand.

For Spicers the deal boosts its Industrial Packaging business. According to Morgan John, general manager, Spicers NZ, the merger will see each company operating independently, with business as usual for  customers and suppliers. 

“We expect Spicers NZ and UPL can bring operational benefits to our customers in the short term as well as broaden each other’s product offering by sharing portfolios for our customers benefit. Over the next six months we will forge further plans on how the businesses work closer together,” he said.

UPL is based in Palmerston North. Owners Matthew Goudie, Jed Goudie and Matthew Goddin say that they are excited to join Spicers NZ, “Since 1985 Universal Packaging has focused on serving the nation's leading brands, and ensuring its success through cost effective and environmentally safe load containment. This move brings all our customers access to a greater industrial packaging offering and product expertise,” they said.

John said the acquisition was consistent with the comany's strategy. “This makes good on our plans to invest in our Paper, Sign & Display and Industrial Packaging businesses. Alongside our historical position in paper, we have grown our Sign & Display business to be a market leader via Total Supply including the Sign Technology and Blueprint acquisitions over the last seven years,” he said.

“Industrial Packaging is a key focus and has been a growth area for Spicers NZ in recent years, with UPL joining us we collectively have a greater offering of packaging products for our customers. Furthermore, we now have a footprint in Palmerston North to offer our customers in the wider region all products in our NZ stable.”