Feb 20, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced that a European subsidiary has agreed to acquire Benson Group, a leading food and healthcare packaging company based in the U.K. Under the terms of the transaction, the purchase price equates to approximately $165 million. The transaction will be funded with existing cash and borrowings from the Company's current revolving line of credit. The acquisition is subject to standard closing requirements and is expected to close in the 2Q, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

"We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of Benson Group," said David Scheible, Graphic Packaging's Chairman, President and CEO. "We believe Benson Group fits perfectly with our strategy in Europe. The acquisition broadens our Food and Consumer Products offerings and extends our reach into the Store Brand segment. The combination of Benson Group and our existing European businesses is expected to greatly enhance our folding carton business in Europe, with sales in excess of $700 million. This combination also allows us to broaden our customer base and to offer our current global customers a wider range of new products and services. Like our strategy in the United States, we are committed to growing our European business around food and beverage end markets and optimizing our supply chain footprint around our customers' needs."

The Benson Group operates four folding carton facilities in the U.K. that convert approximately 80,000 tons of paperboard annually.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading provider of packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer products companies. The Company is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and holds a leading market position in coated-unbleached kraft, coated-recycled boxboard multi-wall bag and specialty packaging.