Plasdene Glass-Pak has acquired West Australian-based Silverlock Packaging in a move that expands its geographic coverage, product offering and team make-up.
The privately-owned supplier of glass and plastic bottles, jars, containers and closures today will increase in size by 50 per cent as the result of the merger.
While Plasdene Glass-Pak already has a national footprint with seven branches across Australia, the acquisition will enhance its size and performance in South Australia and Western Australian markets.
In addition to complementary product type portfolios, markets served and capabilities, both are family businesses with similar cultures and service-focused enterprise philosophies. Plasdene and
Silverlock also both provide contractual distribution for glass manufacturer O-I and plastic packaging PACT Group companies, among others.
Silverlock Packaging was founded in 1976 by Ray Silverlock, and following his passing the business was taken over by his daughter Tundra and son-in-law Bernie Pickett.
Plasdene Glass-Pak was established by current managing director Ken Pearson in 1987, with one employee and zero sales. Today Plasdene remains a private entity, owned by the Pearson family, with first and second generation family management in the business. The merged entity will fall under the umbrella of Pearson Group Packaging (PG-P).
A merged entity will further enhance the buying power and supply chain capability of Plasdene Glass-Pak, affording both Silverlock and Plasdene customers greater value, enhanced range and stronger supply partnerships.
A spokesperson said both Plasdene Glass-Pak and Silverlock Packaging business names would be retained long-term, and it would be "business as usual" for clients trading with Silverlock Packaging, with the exception of the Silverlock Victorian site, which will be merged with Plasdene's Preston operation in the near future.
As the last player to the enter the packaging distribution market in South Australia and Western Australia, until now Plasdene Glass-Pak has failed to shake the ‘new kid on the block’ image and reach the sales potential performance of its eastern state branches.
Ken Pearson told FDB that, despite having a distribution centre in Perth for more than 10 years – and Adelaide even longer – it has been challenging to penetrate and grow the business in these regions to the proportions expected.
“We are delighted we now have the means to merge these two wholly-Australian family businesses and grow together” he said.
