Major Mergers and Acquisitions That Shaped the Packaging Industry
Crown Cork & Seal's Strategic Acquisitions (1989-1996)
The transformation of Crown Cork & Seal under William Avery's leadership represents one of the most significant periods of consolidation in packaging industry history. The company undertook a series of strategic acquisitions, most notably:
• A major portion of Continental Can, making it a leading player in North America (1989-90)
• CarnaudMetalbox (1996) - valued at $5.2 billion, this merger created one of the world's largest packaging companies at the time
• The acquisition spree turned Crown from a $2 billion company to a $10+ billion global leader
The strategy revolutionized how packaging companies approached market consolidation and global expansion.
Ball Corporation's Industry-Changing Moves
Rexam PLC Acquisition (2016)
Ball Corporation's $6.1 billion acquisition of Rexam PLC stands as one of the largest deals in packaging history. This merger:
• Created the world's largest beverage can manufacturer
• Consolidated approximately 60% of the beverage can supply in North America and Europe
• Required significant divestitures to meet antitrust requirements
• Transformed the competitive landscape of the metal packaging sector
Metal Container Acquisition (2009)
Ball's $577 million acquisition of Metal Container Corporation strengthened its position in the aluminum beverage can market and expanded its geographic footprint significantly.
Berry Global's Growth Through Acquisition Strategy
RPC Group Acquisition (2019)
The $6.5 billion acquisition of RPC Group represented a major consolidation in the plastic packaging sector:
• Created one of the world's largest plastic packaging companies
• Produces a balanced franchise across geographies, markets, and substrates
• Enhanced the company's product diversity and technical capabilities
Avintiv Acquisition (2015)
The $2.45 billion purchase of Avintiv marked Berry's entry into the nonwoven materials market and diversified its product portfolio substantially.
Amcor's Transformative Deals
Bemis Acquisition (2019)
The $6.8 billion all-stock combination of Amcor and Bemis created:
• The world's largest consumer packaging company
• A comprehensive flexible packaging portfolio
• Enhanced presence in emerging markets
• Significant cost synergies estimated at $180 million annually
Industry Impact and Legacy
These mergers and acquisitions have fundamentally shaped the packaging industry by:
1. Driving Consolidation: Creating fewer but larger global players with significant market power and economies of scale
2. Geographic Expansion: Enabling rapid entry into new markets and regions through established operations
3. Technology Integration: Combining complementary technologies and innovation capabilities
4. Supply Chain Optimization: Creating more efficient and resilient supply chains through vertical integration
5. Market Dynamics: Altering competitive landscapes and pricing power in various packaging segments
