PACCESS Partners with Billerud in Packaging Service Joint Venture

Aug. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Portland, OR – On July 20, 2011, PACCESS LLC signed an agreement to form a partnership with Swedish company Billerud AB, a leading producer of sustainable packaging solutions and manufacturer of fiber-based materials. Billerud is taking a minority interest in PACCESS Packaging, a spin-off company that will operate as a joint venture.

“We have worked with Billerud over the past few years and this formal association provides a great complement to our existing packaging capabilities to the benefit of our customers,” said Harve Bellos, president and CEO of PACCESS. “Our packaging business will have a new partner who will provide additional technical, capital and market resources to continue the growth and expansion of our services.”

Billerud gains a stronger presence in Asia, where PACCESS Packaging has a packaging design and technical center in China, 10 offices in six countries, and an expansive global production partner network consisting of 100+ paper manufacturers and packaging converters. PACCESS has 15 years experience in Asia delivering packaging to many multinational Brands and retailers.

The joint venture will retain the name PACCESS Packaging, and will be headed by Scott Melkerson, the current Vice President of the packaging division.

“Owing to past collaborations, we jointly determined that a more formal arrangement would allow us to better leverage our respective strengths to expand our offerings and market coverage,” said Melkerson, “Through this partnership PACCESS Packaging now gains increased access to Brands in Europe, plus access to the materials and markets that has made Billerud the success they are today. Their packaging expertise and our mutual commitment to sustainability will open up new markets for PACCESS Packaging in areas such as heavy duty protective packaging and consumer non-durables, and enhance our strong position in the retail, athletic equipment, footwear, and apparel sectors.”

The agreement establishes PACCESS Packaging as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PACCESS LLC with Billerud holding a minority position. After conclusion of customary closing conditions, the joint venture is scheduled to officially begin in the fourth quarter of 2011.

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PACCESS LLC is a privately-held company established in 1995. With 200 associates worldwide, PACCESS is currently segmented into four complementary business units: Paper Materials, Fiber & Pulp, Materials Sourcing and Packaging, all performing to bring customer value in the global manufacturing supply chain. Find out more at http://www.paccessglobal.com.