RPC plumps for Risdon facilities

Packaging News, 01 August 2006

RPC Group, the rigid plastics packaging supplier, has bought Crown Group¡¯s Risdon factories for €5.7m in a bid to strengthen its hold on the European beauty and personal care market.

Crown Risdon¡¯s facilities are located at Marolles near Le Mans in northern France and Mozzate near Varese in northern Italy. RPC¡¯s acquisition in the French and Italian market complement its existing presence in the UK and Germany.

The Risdon factories specialise in manufacturing fragrance caps, lipsticks, lip gloss (pictured), mascara and compacts. The French operation was Crown¡¯s main Risdon beauty packaging division.

In 2005, the two plants achieved combined sales of €45m and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of €2m.

Ron Marsh, RPC¡¯s chief executive, said: ¡°This acquisition will propel RPC Group to a leading position in the beauty and personal care market. It is a market ideally suited to the application of RPC¡¯s advanced technology and one in which RPC already has a successful and growing presence.¡±

RPC employs more than 4,500 people and operates from more than 40 sites in Europe. It supplies rigid packaging for the beauty and personal care, drinks vending and cup, margarine and oxygen-sensitive food markets.