Close×

Universal Packaging (UPL) and Spicers have entered into a share sale agreement, effective as of 30 November.

According to Morgan John, general manager, Spicers NZ, the merger will see each company operating independently, with business as usual for its 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 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 confirmed that he, too, is excited that the UPL team is joining Spicers.

“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.”

UPL, established in 1985, operates as a leading supplier of pallet wrapping film, machinery, application and optimisation based in Palmerston North covering a New Zealand wide customer base. 

 

Food & Drink Business

Lyre’s Spirit Co and Edenvale received gold medals at the recent World Alcohol-Free Awards, with 11 Australian producers being recognised out of a field of 450 entries.

As almond growing and processor, Select Harvests, nears the end of the 2024 harvest, it says the 2024 crop may be lower than its original forecast, but it is on track to be one of the largest crops the company has ever produced.

Wide Open Agriculture continues to expand the adoption of its lupin protein, Buntine Protein, with two consumer products containing the protein launched into the retail market.