Delta Print HQ is in Belfast, Ireland with a production facility in Gliwice, Poland. Clients include KFC, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s and United Biscuits.
Huhtamaki’s Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania
Following the £80m ($116m) acquisition, the company will be rebranded as Huhtamaki Foodservice Delta, reporting to Rosemary Mason, MD, Huhtamaki Foodservice Western Europe and UK.
Delta founder, Terry Cross, will remain as a senior advisor and the company will become part of Huhtamaki’s Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment.
The Huhtamaki Group, based in Finland, has an ambitious growth strategy for its three business areas; foodservice packaging, flexible packaging and molded fiber packaging.
Mason told BeverageDaily its food-to-go packaging such as cups, lids, plates, bowls and cutlery complement Delta’s burger clam boxes, fry cartons and flat cartons, expanding its reach in the folding carton business in Europe and strengthening its global customer partnerships.
“With customers such as KFC, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s and United Biscuits, Delta has an excellent reputation within the industry and the same contacts will remain in place for existing customers,” she said.
Delta significant growth
“Together, we believe we can accelerate sales growth through mutual customers in coffee, quick service restaurants and consumer goods, expanding our footprint in the folded carton packaging market within Europe, and even further afield.”
A specialist manufacturer of printed folding carton packaging for the UK and European foodservice operators, Delta has experienced significant growth under private ownership since it was founded in 1981.
Cross said it was time for the company to take its next step in what will be an exciting journey for the company, its employees and customers.
Huhtamaki already employs more than 200 people in Northern Ireland at its molded fiber plant in Lurgan and paper recycling unit in Lisburn, which are part of the group’s Molded Fiber segment.
The Lurgan plant, which manufactures cup carriers, egg cartons and egg trays, was acquired by Huhtamaki in 1999 and has recently benefitted from Group investment of £4.9m ($7m).