VPK Group is a Belgian paper and cardboard company specializing in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard packaging from recycled paper.[2][3][4] It is based in Aalst, Belgium.[5][6] Pierre Macharis is the current chief executive officer (CEO) of the company.[7][8]

VPK Group
Company typePrivate
IndustryPackaging
Founded1936; 88 years ago (1936)
FounderOmer Macharis
Headquarters,
Belgium
Key people
Pierre Macharis (CEO)[1]
RevenueIncrease €2.1 billion (2022)
Websitevpkgroup.com

History

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VPK Group was founded in 1936 by Omer Macharis as a paper factory in Oudegem, Belgium.[7] It was later renamed as the United Paper and Board Mills (VPK).[7][9] After World War II, Fernand Macharis became the head of the company.[9]

In the early 1990s, Pierre Macharis and his brother assumed management of the company from their father, Fernand Macharis.[10][9]

In 1999, VPK underwent an initial public offering, raising 50 million euros, and was listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange.[10][11] The funding was used to expand production capacity at the Uniwell corrugated cardboard factory in Raamsdonkveer, Netherlands.[12] During the same period, the company increased its shareholding in the Northern French packaging group, Ondulys and acquired Rigid Group in the UK.[12][13]

In 2005, VPK expanded its operations into Poland and Romania.[14]

In 2010, VPK acquired Mondi Packaging Saint Quentin, a French corrugated cardboard company, for 20 million euros.[15] Following this acquisition, the company was renamed Ondulys Saint Quentin, aligning with VPK's French corrugated cardboard division.[15]

In 2011, VPK invested 30 million euros in a joint venture, constructing a factory in Leinefelde, Germany.[16]

In 2013, VPK, in a joint venture with Klingele, acquired the UPM Stracel factory in France from UPM.[17][18][19]

In 2015, VPK invested 6.5 million euros in a facility in Courcelles, Wallonia, naming the subsidiary Cartonneries de Wallonie.[20][6][21]

In 2016, VPK acquired Peterson Packaging, which operated six factories in Scandinavia.[22][23] As a result, VPK became a packaging supplier for IKEA.[22]

In 2019, VPK acquired the European and Chinese operations of Corenso from NPAC International.[24][25][26] As a result of this acquisition, VPK expanded its operations into China.[14]

In 2022, VPK repurposed the Alizay Double A Paper factory in Normandy to produce lightweight recycled containerboard and e-commerce packaging.[27]

In 2023, VPK acquired Arteche Paper, again through its subsidiary Corex.[28]

Awards and recognition

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  • 2023: Award for Best Belgian Sustainability Report[29]
  • 2024: Family Business Award of Excellence[30][31][32]

References

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  1. ^ "VPK Packaging laat België niet vallen". Trends. 9 September 2010.
  2. ^ De Schamphelaere, Jan (21 February 2019). "Dit is de grootste overname in de geschiedenis van VPK". De Tijd.
  3. ^ "VPK steekt 200 miljoen in nieuwe papierfabriek". De Tijd. 16 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Papier Hoge prijs doet VPK Package pijn". De Morgan. 15 May 2010.
  5. ^ "Personeel VPK Packaging opnieuw aan het werk". De Morgan. 17 December 2007.
  6. ^ a b "VPK Packaging décide d'investir en Wallonie". 7sur7.
  7. ^ a b c Broens, Bert; Souris, Simon (4 June 2022). "Pierre Macharis (VPK): 'Onbegrijpelijk dat nachtwerk in e-commerce niet kan'". De Tijd.
  8. ^ "Kartonfabriek VPK betaalt in België drie keer zoveel voor elektriciteit als in Frankrijk". De Standaard. 28 March 2023.
  9. ^ a b c De Cat, Kurt (26 February 2019). "Pierre Macharis bouwt papier- en kartongroep VPK uit tot wereldwijde speler". Trends.
  10. ^ a b Vanacker, Lukas (23 February 2019). "M/V van de week". De Tijd.
  11. ^ Michielsen, Tom; De Schampheleare, Jan (19 May 2017). "VPK investeert 200 miljoen euro in kartonfabrieken". De Tijd.
  12. ^ a b "VPK Packaging naar de beurs". De Morgen. 29 January 1999.
  13. ^ "VPK seeks further growth". Packaging Today.
  14. ^ a b De Schampheleare, Jan (12 June 2023). "Pierre Macharis, CEO VPK Packaging: 'We houden van België, maar de energiekosten zijn een grote zorg'". De Tijd.
  15. ^ a b "VPK Packaging neemt Frans golfkartonbedrijf over". De Morgen. 2 February 2009.
  16. ^ "VPK construit une nouvelle usine en Allemagne". L'Echo. 14 September 2011.
  17. ^ Racquet, Erika; De Schampheleare, Jan (3 July 2012). "VPK doet bod op Duitse papierfabriek". De Tijd.
  18. ^ "UPM signs agreement on the sale of assets of UPM Stracel in France".
  19. ^ "VPK copropriétaire de l'usine Stracel". 28 January 2013.
  20. ^ Al Bouchouari, Younes (24 April 2015). "VPK Packaging s'attaque à la Wallonie". L'Echo.
  21. ^ De Schampheleare, Jan (23 April 2015). "VPK bouwt fabriek in België". De Tijd.
  22. ^ a b De Schampheleare, Jan (3 October 2016). "VPK floreert en doet grote overname na beursexit". De Tijd.
  23. ^ "VPK neemt Scandinavische verpakkingsgroep over". 3 October 2016.
  24. ^ Liesse, Dominique (21 February 2019). "VPK s'ouvre les portes de la Chine". L'Echo.
  25. ^ Vanacker, Lukas (21 February 2019). "Nieuwe overname stuurt VPK naar China". De Tijd.
  26. ^ De Witte, Ilse (21 February 2019). "VPK neemt 15 fabrieken over en wordt actief in China". Trends.
  27. ^ "Normandie : Le papetier belge VPK choisit " Double A " à Alizay plutôt que Chapelle Darblay". 4 June 2021.
  28. ^ Broens, Bert (21 February 2023). "Verpakkingsreus VPK wipt over 2 miljard euro omzet". De Tijd.
  29. ^ "The 2023 Awards for Best Impact Sustainability Reports go to Umicore, VPK Group and VUB".
  30. ^ "VPK Group triumphs as 2024 ambassador of the Family Business Award of Excellence".
  31. ^ "Verpakkingsgroep VPK is familiebedrijf van het jaar". De Tijd.
  32. ^ "L'emballeur VPK sacré entreprise familiale de l'année". L'Echo.