Tughans long-term client Delta Print and Packaging, a manufacturing company established in 1981 above a corner grocery store in Belfast, has been acquired for £80m in one of the largest deals completed in Northern Ireland this year.
Rosemary Mason, Managing Director Huhtamaki Foodservice Western Europe and UK, and Terry Cross OBE, founder of Delta Print and Packaging.
Huhtamaki, a specialist in packaging for food and drink, has bought Delta Print and Packaging.
The deal, which also includes Delta’s production plant in Poland, will strengthen Huhtamaki’s position within the foodservice packaging market in Europe, while also allowing the Finland-headquartered company to expand its offering.
Delta has enjoyed significant growth under private ownership since it was founded in 1981 and will now become part of Huhtamaki’s Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment.
The existing management team, which will remain unchanged, will report to Rosemary Mason, managing director of Huhtamaki Foodservice Western Europe and UK.
Huhtamaki already employs a workforce of more than 200 in Northern Ireland at its molded fiber plant in Lurgan and paper recycling unit in Lisburn.
“Moving forward as Huhtamaki Foodservice Delta Limited, we will work hard to ensure a smooth transition ensuring business as usual and providing our customers with a high level of service,” said Rosemary Mason.
“With customers such as KFC, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s and United Biscuits, Delta has an excellent reputation within the industry and the same contacts will remain in place for existing customers.
“Together, we believe we can accelerate sales growth through mutual customers in coffee, quick service restaurants and consumer goods, thus expanding our footprint in the folded carton packaging market within Europe, and even further afield.”
Delta founder Terry Cross, who will remain as a senior advisor assisting Huhtamaki to build its folding carton packaging business further, added: “Thirty five years on from our first transaction, now is the time for the company to take the next step in what has been, and what will continue to be, a very exciting journey for the company, our employees and our customers.
“It is the innovation, dedication and hard work of our staff here in Belfast, and at our sister site in Poland, which has captured the attention of a global company such as Huhtamaki which is fantastic for a Northern Ireland company.”
A firm wide Tughans team which was led by Corporate Partner John McGuckian and assisted by Associate Grant Edwards advised Delta Print and Packaging Ltd.
John McGuckian commented: “Local company Delta has grown over the years, under the leadership of Terry Cross, into a highly successful manufacturing business with an enviable client list which includes many household brands.
“Tughans acted across various elements of the large-scale transaction including property, employment, banking and corporate in order to get the landmark deal over the line for our client.
“This transaction represents a positive investment in manufacturing for Northern Ireland and secures skilled manufacturing jobs within the Belfast area.”
