Carton Pack S.p.A., a prominent Italian leader in food and drink packaging production, has successfully acquired Clifton Packaging Group Limited (‘Clifton’), a UK-based manufacturer renowned for its innovative flexible food and drink packaging solutions. This acquisition marks an important step for Carton Pack, which is a valued portfolio company of A&M Capital Europe (‘AMCE’), a private equity firm based in London with €650 million in commitments under management.
Established in 1981 and headquartered in Leicester, UK, Clifton caters to a diverse array of blue-chip brands, particularly within the wet protein and snacks categories. With a solid reputation for technical innovation in flexible films and pouches, Clifton has positioned itself as a key player in sustainable packaging solutions for the food and drink sector. The company will continue to operate under the guidance of its management team, with CEO Shane D’Souza at the helm.
This acquisition is a significant milestone in Carton Pack’s strategy to emerge as a leading European specialist in food and drink sustainable packaging. It effectively strengthens their footprint in flexible packaging while expanding into attractive snacks and protein end-markets, solidifying their presence in the UK market. Notably, this transaction marks Carton Pack’s sixth acquisition since 2020 and the third following AMCE’s acquisition of a majority stake in the Group alongside the founding Leone family in April 2022.
“We are delighted to welcome Clifton Packaging into the Carton Pack Group,” said Gianni Leone, CEO of Carton Pack Group. “The acquisition represents a vital step in our global strategy to deliver both plastic and paper sustainable packaging solutions on a larger scale to the food and drink industry. This partnership not only expands our product range but also enhances our capability to serve clients across Europe and beyond, further reinforcing our commitment to quality, service, and innovation.”
Shane D’Souza, Chief Executive Officer of Clifton Packaging, commented: “Together, we are poised to redefine the future of packaging by leveraging our combined strengths to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and make a positive impact on the environment. We will continue to operate under our established brand while benefiting from Carton Pack’s extensive resources and industry expertise, including access to warehousing and distribution networks in Europe. It’s an exciting time for the Group, and we look forward to what the future holds for us.”
Carton Pack received expert advice from Chiomenti, Weil Gotshal & Manges, Charles Russell Speechlys, and Pedersoli Gattai as legal advisers, along with PWC and EY for accounting and tax advisory services. Food Strategy Associates provided commercial consultation, Howden advised on insurance, and Ramboll served as environmental adviser.
For more information, please visit Clifton’s website at www.cliftonpackaging.com or email: info@cliftonpackaging.co.uk.
For further details about Carton Pack, kindly visit www.cartonpack.com.
