Abbe Group secures Oji Fibre Solutions’ Australian assets in strategic expansion

AUSTRALIA – The Abbe Group, a family-run corrugated cardboard packaging firm with more than 35 years in operation, has purchased the Australian operations of Oji Fibre Solutions for an undisclosed amount. 

This move extends Abbe’s manufacturing reach along the eastern seaboard, adding key sites in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. 

According to Daniel O’Sullivan, the company’s sales and marketing director, the acquisition aims to improve service levels during high-demand seasons.

The deal encompasses four production facilities: Noble Park and Dandenong in Victoria, Lansvale in New South Wales, and Yatala in Queensland. 

It also brings in distribution hubs in horticultural areas like Mildura, Innisfail, Bundaberg, and Mareeba. 

O’Sullivan noted that these locations support Abbe’s existing plants in Coolaroo, Wetherill Park, and Ingleburn, while reintroducing the firm to Queensland through the advanced Yatala site.

Customers stand to gain from reduced delivery times and increased supply reliability. 

O’Sullivan explained that multi-state operations allow Abbe to handle peak volumes more effectively, serving national clients with greater efficiency. 

“Having multiple corrugating sites in key states gives us the flexibility to manage seasonal peaks and respond quickly to customer demand,” he stated.

Integration efforts will prioritize blending workforces smoothly, drawing on Oji’s established team dynamics. 

Abbe’s leadership, including O’Sullivan and his brothers Anthony and Chris, plans to maintain its hands-on approach amid the growth. 

The brothers, who joined the business early on, trace their roots to a 1950s cardboard venture started by their grandfather, with fourth-generation family members now involved.

Sustainability remains central, as Abbe sources 90 percent of its paper from local suppliers Visy and Opal to aid domestic recycling. 

O’Sullivan highlighted ongoing work to cut energy use in high-consumption plants through efficiency upgrades and renewable sources. 

“Keeping papermaking strong in Australia is important for the future of our industry,” he added.

This transaction fits into a broader pattern of mergers in fiber-based packaging. 

Just weeks ago, Graphic Packaging International agreed to buy Bell Incorporated to expand into fiber mailers. Such deals signal rising demand for eco-friendly options amid regulatory shifts.

Abbe continues to advance automation, including digital printing and ecommerce solutions, to minimize waste. 

O’Sullivan sees steady growth in recycled fiber use, driven by cost controls and client needs. 

As a third-generation enterprise founded in the 1990s, Abbe focuses on long-term relationships and team development for sustained success.

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