Glass maker Encirc sold in £316m deal

A SPANISH company has swooped for Encirc – the manufacturing business previously known as Quinn Glass –  in a deal worth £316.3m.

Encirc, which has a manufacturing plant and filling operation in Elton, Cheshire and a plant in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, makes bottles and jars for the food and drinks industry.

The new owner Vidrala has annual sales of €470m and 1,700 staff. It will be retaining the existing management team.  The acquisition will give it a manufacturing presence in the UK for the first time.

Quinn Glass was owned by Irish billionaire Sean Quinn until 2011. A consortium of banks and other lenders then rebranded the manufacturing business as Aventas and have slowly been selling parts of the group.

Aventas chief executive Paul O’Brien said Vidrala had “the ability and expertise to continue to invest in Encirc which has acquired an international reputation for both product quality and service excellence”.

Adrian Curry, managing director at Encirc, said: “Vidrala has a sizeable presence in Europe and has committed to supporting Encirc’s continued development and investment. T

“his will ensure that the business will continue to grow, innovate, maintain and enhance its market-leading position to the benefit of Encirc’s employees, customers, suppliers and local communities alike”.

Gorka Schmitt, chief executive of Vidrala, said: “This integration will enhance the resulting group’s position in the European glass packaging market. Encirc has demonstrated a solid market share in recent years thanks to the engagement of its employees, its modern facilities, competitiveness and strong customer relationships.

“Vidrala has demonstrated capabilities in the integration of companies within its group, promoting their respective local footprints, developing industrial sites, adding its well proven expertise in the glass packaging business and improving customer satisfaction. This acquisition represents an important milestone for Vidrala. The integration will ensure both Vidrala and Encirc are better placed for the future.”