For major adhesive vinyl/PET label manufacturers, successfully getting into wide format signage is no easy task; despite the commonality of the SAV media, the extra width up to 5 metres and mostly inkjet digital media, brings a new culture into the business mix, driven by the needs of the Sign and display industry rather than labels and packaging. The answer is acquisitions and UPM Raflatac has just made a significant one.
The SAV sign industry market is an attractive investment for global label pressure-sensitive businesses
UPM Raflatac has acquired Metamark, the UK-based company whose products are distributed in ANZ by Ball & Doggett, to further accelerate its growth in Graphics business. UPM Raflatac’s existing Graphics business, complemented with Metamark, will strengthen UPM Raflatac’s overall competitiveness, bring major synergies and make UPM Raflatac a significant player in the fast-growing, high value-added Graphics segment. The Enterprise Value of the transaction is GBP£146 million (approx. AUD$292 million).
Metamark, established in 1992, is a manufacturer and distributor of graphics solutions. Its product portfolio consists of high-quality self-adhesive colour films, print films for large format colour printing, laminates and wrapping films for various end-uses. The company employs approximately 185 people and has a manufacturing site in Lancaster, UK. The annual sales of the company is approximately GBP £65 million, and it has an EBITDA margin accretive to UPM Raflatac.
Tim Kirchen, Executive Vice President, UPM Raflatac says: “We’ve made a strategic decision to pursue global growth in Graphics both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. This acquisition marks an important milestone in our transformation journey accelerating our growth, enabling us to grow our scale and become a complete product and service provider in this attractive business. The combination of Metamark’s broad product portfolio with our existing sales and distribution network allows us to grow also outside of Europe. We warmly welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working together to serve our customers with an even stronger product portfolio." 
Happy with the deal - Metamark CEO Phil Wild
Phil Wild, CEO of Metamark adds: “In joining the UPM Raflatac Graphics business unit, Metamark is securing a growth-focused future for our highly regarded specialist materials. This acquisition reflects the value of our market-led innovation, respected product portfolio, and ambitious plans for market and geographical growth. UPM brings the benefits of scale, resources, and a global presence, which will accelerate our shared vision for the graphics and allied markets. Metamark is excited to be part of UPM Raflatac and looks forward to a bright and prosperous future together."
UPM Graphics is a new strategic self-adhesive business unit within UPM Raflatac. The business was established following the acquisition of AMC AG and its graphics business in 2022. In 2024, the company further expanded its graphics portfolio through the acquisition of Grafityp. The acquisition of Metamark will enable UPM Raflatac to scale up its graphics business giving it a significant weight in the company's product portfolio. Typical graphics applications include indoor and outdoor advertising, signage and vehicle wrapping.
UPM (United Paper Mills) is a Finnish global forestry-based company employing over 17,000 people worldwide and with annual revenues of around Euro10.3 billion. UPM acquired Raflatac in 1996 in order to add film-based label media to its paper products. In Australia, UPM Raflatac operates three slitting/converting plants in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane and is a leading supplier to the wine, other beverages and packaging industry. It is understood that existing Metamark sales channels will remain unchanged.
Ball & Doggett acts as master distributor and has appointed several sub-dealers nationwide.
In New Zealand: https://www.psp.co.nz/
