Chicago-based Berlin Packaging, a company that bills itself as the "world’s largest hybrid packaging supplier” of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures, made five significant international acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2020, expanding its capabilities in Europe and Canada in spite of the pandemic. The acquisitions have increased Berlin Packaging’s product portfolio for several key end markets, including wine, food, and beverage; household care; cosmetics; pharmaceuticals; and industrial and specialty chemicals.

In November, Berlin Packaging purchased Consolidated Bottle, a leading packaging supplier in Canada that has been in business for more than 110 years.

Across Europe, Berlin Packaging acquired Vinkova BV, a Netherlands-based glass packaging supplier with expertise in food and beverage verticals, in October. December saw the acquisition of Repli, a plastic packaging company based in Barcelona, Spain; Pentapackaging, a plastic packaging company based in Bergamo, Italy; and Newpack, a glass packaging company based in Savona, Italy.

Customers of both Berlin Packaging and the recently acquired companies are now able to access added product depth and breadth, as well as value-added services including Berlin Packaging’s award-winning design studio. The company supplies billions of items annually along with packaging design and innovation, global sourcing, warehousing and logistics, quality advocacy, financing, and consulting services for customers across all industries.

The most recent purchase of Newpack marks Berlin Packaging’s 10th European acquisition since 2016, confirming its commitment to supplying packaging across all geographies, substrates, and market verticals in Europe. Berlin Packaging looks forward to further growth, both domestic and international, in 2021, said the company.