Sun, 20 Jul 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
A Somerset-based food packaging products distributor has acquired a Scottish counterpart in a Shawbrook-backed deal. Wincanton-based Abpac Limited’s acquisition of Glasgow-based Marshall Wilson Packaging Limited was supported by an increased debt facility provided by Shawbrook.
Abpac is an established supplier of food packaging products, with distribution hubs in Wincanton, Glasgow and Manchester. It has a strong focus on the butchery, catering, baked goods and food-to-go sectors, as well as a range of ancillary products, including janitorial supplies and process disposables.
The company is backed by existing Shawbrook client Kentra Bay, which acquired the firm in a Shawbrook-backed deal in 2021. Since then, Abpac has implemented an ambitious buy-and-build strategy, through which it has sought to enhance its quality of service and expand its geographic presence.
The acquisition of Marshal Wilson Packaging is the latest in Abpac’s buy-and-build strategy and is described as significantly enhancing its market presence in the Scottish bakery and food-to-go sectors.
Marshall Wilson Packaging is a prominent food and drink packaging products distributor, serving Scotland’s central belt. The company was brought to market as a result of its owners retiring, seeking a buyer focused on customer service and employee care as part of a succession plan.
Abpac was said to have proved an excellent strategic fit for this plan and, with the backing of Kentra Bay, approached Shawbrook to secure its support for the transaction.
Working to a tight timeframe, a Shawbrook team structured an increase to the client’s existing debt facilities, with the new facility providing a corporate leverage loan for the deal and also supporting the acquisition of an associated commercial property in Glasgow. The funding service also included flexibility to accommodate both the existing debt facilities, as well as shareholder distributions.
Abpac Limited director Francis Marx said: "We had first-hand experience of Shawbrook’s capabilities, following the earlier transaction with Kentra Bay and felt that the bank would be well-placed to support us again. Nick and the team understood both the timelines and the complexities of the transaction and provided a solution that ticked all the boxes."
Nick Brown, Client Manager at Shawbrook, added: "Being up-to-speed on Abpac and Kentra Bay’s expansion strategy proved critical to this transaction as it required both a fast turnaround and substantial flexibility. We look forward to seeing this client expand further as they continue their buy and build journey."
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