Berlin Packaging snaps up industrial packaging supplier Bark
ITALY – US-based hybrid packaging company, Berlin Packaging has entered a definitive agreement to buy industrial packaging supplier Bark Packaging Group.
Founded in 1978, Bark evolved from a traditional packaging wholesaler to a value-added supplier of industrial packaging.
The company has expanded into flexible packaging with the acquisition of Dutch Pack International in 2017 and into UN-certified packaging for the transportation of hazardous goods with the acquisition of CarePack in 2021.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. Berlin will retain all employees and locations that are part of this acquisition.
Bark Packaging Group joint CEOs and shareholders Berny Plas and Erik Bos said: “We are excited to start this new chapter with Berlin Packaging. Together, we can offer our clients a wide range of cutting-edge solutions and offer our people even more opportunities.”
Commenting on the deal, Berlin Benelux, Nordics, and DACH regions leader Marcel Schröder said: “The addition of Bark and DeeDee will give Berlin Packaging a stronger foothold in Northern Europe, especially for flexible and UN-certified packaging.
“It will also expand our industrial packaging capabilities in Northern Europe, including Germany, a key European market.
“We are eager to welcome our new colleagues from Bark and DeeDee and are confident that combining these companies with Berlin Packaging will help us serve our clients better than ever.”
Over the last decade, Bark has become known for its proprietary and customized designs through Bark Innovations.
In June 2022, Bark acquired DeeDee Pouch Professionals, a supplier of sustainable and innovative pouch solutions and other flexible products to the European food and chemical markets.
The company has also been working closely with Private equity firm Quadrum Capital as a minority investor in Bark since 2020.
Following the acquisition, Quadrum Capital will exit its investment in Bark. During Quadrum Capital’s investment period, Bark enjoyed robust revenue and profitability growth.
“We are proud to have been part of Bark’s growth journey over the last years. It is an excellent example of a successful partnership with an entrepreneurial management team driving superior growth, complemented by the strategic and M&A support of the Quadrum Capital team,” concluded Gert Van Drie, Director at Quadrum Capital.
“We recognize the strong strategic rationale of a combination with Berlin and wish Berny and Erik all the best in continuing to grow the business in the years to come.”
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