Impress announces today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of the European operations of U.S.Can from Berkshire Partners and the minority shareholders of U.S.C. Europe.

The operations purchased by Impress are the food can business of May Verpackungen and the European aerosol activities of U.S.C. Europe. In 2005 they had a combined sales turnover of €235 million, and employed approximately 1 200 people.

May Verpackungen has two plants based in Germany and one in Denmark, and has a sizeable position in Northern Europe in the supply of cans for ready meals, vegetables and petfood.

U.S.C. Europe is a leading supplier of aerosols to the European market, and has facilities in France,Germany, UK, Spain and Italy.

‘We welcome on board the people and operations of U.S.Can Europe’, says Francis Labbé, Chief Executive Officer of Impress. ‘There is an excellent fit between our two companies, in geography and in customers. Together we will be stronger to serve our customers across Europe and to promote and develop the decisive advantages of metal packaging, which is our shared core business. We will build on U.S.Can’s excellent customer relationships and support them with Impress’ worldclass development
resources’

Chairman of the Berkshire Partners Board Carl Ferenbach adds: ‘We are very pleased that Impress is acquiring U.S.C. Europe and believe that our customers and employees will be well served by this outcome’

With this acquisition Impress consolidates its position as the second largest supplier of food cans in Europe, and moves from fifth to second position in the European aerosol market. It is also worldwide leader in the seafood can market, and European leader in cans for paints & coatings.

On a consolidated annual basis Impress’ worldwide proforma turnover is now in excess of 1.6 billion euros. Impress currently employs approximately 8,000 people in 50 facilities operating out of 17 countries, in Europe, North America, Japan, and the Seychelles.