Fedrigoni Group announces its intention to acquire Papeterie Zuber Rieder to create the world leading manufacturer in wine and spirits premium papers

The Fedrigoni Group, the world's leading producer of high-end papers for luxury packaging and other creative applications, premium labels and self-adhesive materials, has signed an agreement with Papeterie Zuber Rieder, one of the world's leading producers in these segments, aimed at joining forces and creating the first global player in premium papers for wine & spirits. The execution of binding documentation, and the completion of the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Papeterie Zuber Rieder, remain subject to the consultation of the works council of Papeterie Zuber Rieder.

Founded in 1881 in Boussières (Doubs, Franche-Comté), Zuber Rieder was taken over in the early 2000s by Luc Gaillet and Alain Martz, with the aim of repositioning the company in a fast-growing segment: premium papers for wine and spirit labels. Since then, Zuber Rieder, with its 130 people, has experienced strong growth turning its industrial facilities into one of Europe’s most efficient specialty paper production sites.

This partnership would represent another important step for Fedrigoni Group on its consolidation path as an undisputed global manufacturer of premium wine and spirits papers, as Zuber Rieder would benefit from Fedrigoni’s production capabilities and international network to continue its growth.

Papeterie Zuber Rieder’s shareholders, Alain Martz and Luc Gaillet, would both maintain a strategic role in order to support the integration into the Fedrigoni Group and the future development of the company by leveraging their experience. Alain Martz would retain an executive role as General Manager of Zuber Rieder, while Luc Gaillet would keep a non-executive role as a member of the board.

“We are very pleased to announce our intention to acquire Papeterie Zuber Rieder - comments Marco Nespolo, CEO of the Fedrigoni Group - Their marked specialist skills and proprietary technologies will allow us to supplement our already rich product portfolio both for papers for luxury packaging and those for high end wine & spirits labels, where we want to consolidate our position as the leading global player. This future transaction once again shows that we are determined to pursue a constant global strategy of growth, both in specialty papers for all creative applications and
in premium self-adhesive materials, in order to better serve our customers worldwide”.

Great satisfaction has been also expressed by Luc Gaillet and Alain Martz, respectively Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Papeterie Zuber Rieder – “Zuber Rieder and its people could not find a better ‘home’ to grow, consolidate and face new challenges. The Fedrigoni Group is a century-old industrial company like Zuber Rieder, with ambitious international development goals, to which we will be pleased to give our contribution”.

Fedrigoni was advised by Saber Solutions, Latham & Watkins, 8A, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bain&Company, Aon, Golder. Zuber Rieder was advised by Clearwater International, Mermoz, Deloitte, ERM.