Premier’s WBC Acquires Sarcina Packaging to Strengthen UK Packaging Division
In a move that underscores its expanding footprint in the UK packaging market, the Wine Box Company (WBC), a subsidiary of Premier Paper Group, has acquired Sarcina Packaging, a bespoke packaging specialist based in West Sussex. The acquisition, completed on June 30, 2025, forms part of Premier’s wider strategic push to grow its packaging division and diversify its product offering across multiple high-value sectors.
Established in 2014, Sarcina Packaging has built a strong reputation for delivering tailored packaging solutions to a broad client base, including the pharmaceutical, health and beauty, farming, automotive, e-commerce, and food and beverage retail industries. The company’s brand equity and client relationships in these sectors were cited as key drivers behind the acquisition, which is expected to bring approximately £1.5 million in additional revenue to Premier’s group operations. Premier Paper, which reported a consolidated turnover of £285 million in 2024, will integrate Sarcina into WBC, the packaging arm it acquired in 2022. The group is owned by Ovol Japan Pulp & Paper Co., a global business operating in 21 countries with revenues exceeding $3 billion (£2.19 billion).
As part of the integration, Sarcina’s offices and warehouse—currently based near Chichester—will be relocated to WBC’s existing facilities in Herne Hill, South East London and Crawley, West Sussex. Leadership continuity has also been safeguarded, with Sarcina’s Managing Director Mark Judson appointed as Group Commercial Director for Packaging. In this new role, Judson will continue driving Sarcina’s core operations while contributing to strategic initiatives across the Premier group.
Premier Paper Group CEO Michael Beever hailed the acquisition as a natural evolution in the group’s packaging growth story. “Sarcina will be a valuable addition to the WBC business, which we acquired in 2022, and is another step in our strategy to expand our packaging offering across the group. Premier, WBC, and Sarcina have many of the same values, and this acquisition will provide opportunities for all parts of the company to develop product and service offerings through the sharing of knowledge and expertise,” he said.
WBC Managing Director Simon Wright echoed this sentiment, noting that the addition of Sarcina brings enhanced capabilities in delivering bespoke, solution-driven packaging to customers. “The acquisition further increases the group’s capabilities to provide solution-driven, bespoke packaging to our customers which further enhances their brands. It’s a great addition as we continue delivering on our ambitious growth plan within the packaging division,” he stated.
For Sarcina, the acquisition represents a pivotal step forward. Mark Judson expressed optimism about the new chapter, stating, “Becoming part of the WBC and Premier Paper family marks an exciting new chapter for Sarcina Packaging. This evolution enables us to offer access to an even wider range of products and services, market-leading innovations, and enhanced value—all underpinned by the same first-class customer service our clients expect.”
Premier emphasized that Sarcina’s integration will remain brand-conscious, maintaining its independent identity within the WBC portfolio while benefiting from broader infrastructure, market access, and operational efficiencies.
This acquisition reinforces Premier Paper’s growing ambitions within the UK’s evolving packaging landscape. By combining Sarcina’s niche expertise with WBC’s market access and operational scale, the group is positioning itself as a more comprehensive solutions provider across multiple sectors—from independent artisan producers to national B2B clients. With the packaging division now emerging as a strategic growth pillar for the Premier group, this deal could signal further M&A activity in the near future as the company continues to consolidate its position in the premium, custom packaging market.