The Reflex Group Ltd (Reflex), the Mansfield-based label producer, has acquired Macfarlane Labels Ltd of Kilmarnock, and its subsidiary companies, Macfarlane Group Ireland Limited and Macfarlane Group Sweden AB from Macfarlane Group plc (Macfarlane).
Peter Atkinson, Chief Executive of Macfarlane, said: “Macfarlane Labels has been a long-standing part of the Group. We believe that its sale to Reflex, with their well-established position and scale in the labels market, creates the best opportunity for Macfarlane Labels to develop.
“The sale will allow the Group to focus resources on growing our protective packaging businesses both in the UK and Europe.”
Label printing is very much a core activity for Reflex, which also produces packaging film, provides graphic services and supplies and services printing machinery. The acquired businesses will bring sales of around £22m to add to Reflex’s current “run rate” of £135m.
All of the 109 people who presently work at Macfarlane Labels will join Reflex’s current staff of around 800.
Macfarlane Labels Limited was originally founded in 1948 as N.S Macfarlane. In 1988 it acquired Ayrshire Labels and Adhesive Labels. In 2000 it acquired Abbott Labels in Ireland and Resealit in Sweden. The business has customers throughout the globe.
Ian Kendall, Chief Executive of The Reflex Group, said: “We are delighted to have made this acquisition and we welcome our new colleagues and customers. We are aware of the heritage and importance of the business to all its stakeholders. As always Reflex will focus on sustainability, both environmental and financial, the aim being to create financial strength combined with the lowest level of environmental impact.
“With this move we expand our operational footprint into Scotland, Ireland and Sweden.”
