Rexam sells UK glass operation to Ardagh

Facing increasing competition in the UK glass container market Rexam has exited the glass business in that country as part of its growth strategy in Europe. Rexam, the world’s top beverage can maker, said it would continue to focus on developing its existing glass container business in northern continental Europe, where it has an established market position, and in the developing markets of eastern Europe, said company spokesperson Andrew Mills.

Facing increasing competition in the UK glass container market Rexam has exited the glass business in that country as part of its growth strategy in Europe. Rexam, the world’s top beverage can maker, said it would continue to focus on developing its existing glass container business in northern continental Europe, where it has an established market position, and in the developing markets of eastern Europe, said company spokesperson Andrew Mills. The company has made a series of acquisition over the past two years and says in its latest annual report that it is looking at other “opportunities” for growth. The UK glass business, based in Barnsley, was sold to Dublin-based Ardagh Glass for £50m (€73m) in cash. Ardagh, which trades under the Rockware brand in the UK, said it would merge the Rockware and Rexam businesses. Rexam was number three in the UK glass market and was facing increasing competition Mills said. Rockware is number one in the UK glass market followed by I-Os United Glass.