Medical Device Link.

Originally Published PMPN September 2003

NEWS

Rexam PLC, a global leader in packaging, announced in late August that it has forged an agreement with Amcor Ltd. to sell its Healthcare Flexibles sector to Amcor Ltd., often called the largest plastic packaging manufacturer. The sale is subject to regulatory review. According to Rexam PLC, the sale will be used to reduce debt.

Rexam Healthcare Flexibles includes its operations for medical, pharmaceutical, and personal care flexible packaging converting. The sector’s newest developments include the introduction of Core-Peel rollstock and pouches for clean peels and visible seal transfers and its proprietary Black Box virtual thermoform modeling technology, around which Rexam has built a suite of pharmaceutical packaging services. It employs more than 1,000 people at 10 factories worldwide, with locations in Brazil, France, Ireland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. North American headquarters are located in Mundelein, IL, led by president Jerry Bennish.

A Rexam spokesperson says that it is too early to comment on the U.S. operations, including facilities, personnel, machinery, and products. Amcor is planning to put a team into place in October to implement a 100-day plan for integrating the Healthcare Flexibles business into Amcor, with completion expected in February 2004.

Commenting on the divestment, Rolf Börjesson, Rexam’s chief executive says that “Rexam remains strongly committed to the healthcare and pharmaceutical segments, as witnessed by the recent acquisition of Risdon Pharma, and intends to continue to expand in this area. However, the healthcare flexibles business, our only business in flexible packaging, has found a more appropriate home in a group specifically focused on the flexible packaging industry.”


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