Zeus Packaging (Dublin, Ireland; www.zeuspackaging.com) recently announced its acquisition of Northern Ireland-based packaging label printer James Hamilton Group (Lurgan; www.jameshamiltongroup.com), adding EUR 18 mn in yearly sales to the Dublin firm’s annual turnover. The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, is part of Zeus’ plan to hit annual sales in excess of EUR 500 mn. The group reported turnover in 2022 of nearly EUR 290 mn.

Keith Ockenden, Zeus’ chief executive, said by joining forces with James Hamilton his firm would expand its existing offering in the food and retail packaging sector, “leveraging the combined purchasing power and unlocking operational efficiencies across our combined operations in Northern Ireland”.

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James Hamilton’s 120 staff and management team is to remain with the merged firm. The company specialises in the processing and trading of packaging solutions for the food sector. Plastic trays, for example, are printed. No details were given on material type or volumes. The customer markets of the company, which was founded in 1920 and has been family-owned since then, include the retail trade as well as the food and beverage industry.

Over the past few years, Zeus has acquired Dublin-based Essential Supplies (2019), while UK investments included Liverpool-based distribution business Smith & Bateson, Lincolnshire-based food packaging business Van Der Windt and Saffron Waldon-based Vaiopak Group.