W&R Etiketten is merged with Etiket Nederland, Vila Etiketten and Specialist Printer Max. Aarts. Which results in a new top 3 player in the market for self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging solutions. Combining these four companies is part of the strategy of scaling up and widening of product diversification that was initiated last year. The management of the companies will continue to be closely involved, and will jointly be responsible for the group which has been formed.

Strategic rationale

The joining of W&R Etiketten with Etiket Nederland, Vila Etiketten and Specialist Printer Max. Aarts results in a unique combination of expertise in the fields of flexoprint and digital printing for self-adhesive labels, printed banding bands, wet-glue labels, multilayer labels, security seals, slot labels, gummed tape, foils and flexible packaging.

Etiket Nederland is a leading printer of self-adhesive labels for customers in the food, logistic and retail industries and is mainly active in West and Central Netherlands.

Vila Etiketten is the largest digital printing specialist in the field of self-adhesive labels. Vila Etiketten focusses on the graphic industry and on small sized print runs across industry.

Max. Aarts is specialized in UV flexo rotation printing and is a durable and leading provider of printed banding labels and specialties in the field of self-adhesive labels, wet-glue labels, multilayer labels, security seals, gummed tapes, foils and flexible packaging for clients in the food, logistic and retail, both in the Benelux and worldwide.

W&R Etiketten is specialized in large volumes in UV flexo rotation printing and mid-sized digital print runs for customers in the food, logistic and retail industries, flower & plants and chemistry, particularly in Southern Netherlands and Belgium.

By joining forces all four companies will be able to serve their current customer base even better. Advantages for current and new customers will be a larger product offering, better service by a combined sales force and increased flexibility due to the higher number of production locations.

This joining of forces creates a strong top 3 company in the Dutch self-adhesive label market which can boast a € 50 million Euro turnover with 220 employees and an
up- to-date machinery including 14 UV flexo presses and 6 digital machines.

Further transaction details

The company names Etiket Nederland, Vila Etiketten, Specialist Printer Max. Aarts and W&R Etiketten will continue to be used. The companies will continue to operate independently, and will remain based at their current locations. The services of Etiket Nederland, Vila Etiketten, Specialist Printer Max. Aarts and W&R Etiketten to their existing customer base, will be fully guaranteed. The management of all four companies will continue to be closely involved and will jointly be responsible for the entire group. The group of companies is controlled by an overall group management.

Etiket Nederland, with 70 employees, has a production location and office in Alkmaar. Vila Etiketten, with 45 employees, has a production location and office in Breda, while Specialist Printer Max. Aarts and its 45 employees is based in Enschede. The newest player in the group, W&R Etiketten with 60 employees, has a production location and office in Tilburg.