BERLIN Packaging has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bark Packaging, a supplier of industrial, flexible and UN-certified packaging solutions.
Founded in 1978, Bark evolved from a traditional packaging wholesaler to a supplier of industrial packaging. The firm expanded into flexible packaging with the acquisition of Dutch Pack International in 2017 and into UN-certified packaging for the transportation of hazardous goods with the acquisition of CarePack in 2021.
In June this year, Bark acquired DeeDee Pouch Professionals, a supplier of pouch solutions and other flexible products to the European food and chemical markets. DeeDee was founded in 1993 by Doortje Schilders and today is managed by her two daughters, Elke Coolen and Inge Louwers.
“We are thrilled to be joining forces with Bark and Berlin Packaging. Everyone at DeeDee is ready to help our new and existing customers find the perfect pouch for their product,” said Elke Coolen and Inge Louwers, directors of DeeDee.
Berny Plas and Erik Bos, joint CEOs and shareholders of Bark Packaging Group, added, “We are excited to start this new chapter with Berlin Packaging. Together we can offer our clients a wide range of cutting-edge solutions and offer our people even more opportunities.”
Marcel Schröder, who leads Berlin’s Benelux, Nordics and DACH regions, commented, “The addition of Bark and DeeDee will give Berlin Packaging a stronger foothold in northern Europe, especially for flexible and UN-certified packaging. It will also expand our industrial packaging capabilities in northern Europe, including Germany, a key European market.
“We are eager to welcome our new colleagues from Bark and DeeDee and are confident that combining these companies with Berlin Packaging will help us serve our clients better than ever.”
Private equity firm Quadrum Capital has been a minority investor in Bark since 2020 and will be exiting its investment in Bark once the sale to Berlin Packaging is complete.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in Q4 this year. Berlin added that all employees and locations for this acquisition will be retained.
