VPK Group is a Belgian paper and cardboard company specializing in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard packaging from recycled paper.[2][3][4] It is based in Aalst, Belgium.[5][6] Pierre Macharis is the current chief executive officer (CEO) of the company.[7][8]
History
VPK Group was founded in 1936 by Omer Macharis as a paper factory in Oudegem, Belgium.[7] It was later renamed as the United Paper and Board Mills (VPK).[7][9] After World War II, Fernand Macharis became the head of the company.[9]
In the early 1990s, Pierre Macharis and his brother assumed management of the company from their father, Fernand Macharis.[10][9]
In 1999, VPK underwent an initial public offering, raising 50 million euros, and was listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange.[10][11] The funding was used to expand production capacity at the Uniwell corrugated cardboard factory in Raamsdonkveer, Netherlands.[12] During the same period, the company increased its shareholding in the Northern French packaging group, Ondulys and acquired Rigid Group in the UK.[12][13]
In 2010, VPK acquired Mondi Packaging Saint Quentin, a French corrugated cardboard company, for 20 million euros.[15] Following this acquisition, the company was renamed Ondulys Saint Quentin, aligning with VPK's French corrugated cardboard division.[15]
In 2011, VPK invested 30 million euros in a joint venture, constructing a factory in Leinefelde, Germany.[16]
In 2013, VPK, in a joint venture with Klingele, acquired the UPM Stracel factory in France from UPM.[17][18][19]
In 2015, VPK invested 6.5 million euros in a facility in Courcelles, Wallonia, naming the subsidiary Cartonneries de Wallonie.[20][6][21]
In 2016, VPK acquired Peterson Packaging, which operated six factories in Scandinavia.[22][23] As a result, VPK became a packaging supplier for IKEA.[22]
In 2019, VPK acquired the European and Chinese operations of Corenso from NPAC International.[24][25][26] As a result of this acquisition, VPK expanded its operations into China.[14]
In 2022, VPK repurposed the Alizay Double A Paper factory in Normandy to produce lightweight recycled containerboard and e-commerce packaging.[27]
In 2023, VPK acquired Arteche Paper, again through its subsidiary Corex.[28]
Awards and recognition
2023: Award for Best Belgian Sustainability Report[29]
2024: Family Business Award of Excellence[30][31][32]
