EBB said the deal, for 100% of Dublin-based Realt Paper’s shares and completed on Thursday (29 February), would make it the largest merchant in the Irish market and further demonstrated its commitment to Ireland.
It added the purchase of the €17m-turnover (£14.5m) business would generate combined group turnover in Ireland of circa €50m.
Realt Paper will continue to trade from its premises in Swords, County Dublin, and its 17 staff have all been kept on, with the company’s day-to-day management team also staying in place. EBB Ireland, meanwhile, will continue to trade from Rathcoole and Belfast.
During 2024, EBB said it plans to integrate Realt Sales within the EBB logistics network, offering an enhanced service and product offering to the Irish market.
It said the group’s new combined strength would see “a larger product portfolio and commitment to keeping high stocks locally to serve the Irish print, paper, and packaging community”.
EBB group managing director Matt Elliott said: “Since we entered the Irish market with our acquisition of UniBoard back in 2019, Realt has always been on our radar due to the excellent reputation they have. As a competitor, we have admired their professionalism in everything they do.
“Ger [Barron, Realt managing director] and his family, together with the Realt team have built a fantastic business, with great staff, loyal customers, and excellent mill partners. Our new combined strength, backed up by our UK stock and resources, will see improved choice and better service to all our Irish customers.”
Barron added: “Realt is a successful and profitable company that has been in business for 43 years. Our success is attributed to our talented team’s determination, focus, and skills.
“We are a family-run business that holds on to our humble beginnings when my Dad bought our first company van for 300 punts and after a substantial bad debt remortgaged our family home in the third year of business to keep the company running. We are excited to join EBB Ireland, a 100-year-old family business with a similar culture.
“We look forward to developing new products and business areas and constantly improving our offering to the Irish market. The future is bright, and we are ready for all the opportunities it brings.”
EBB Group sales and marketing director Chris Sandwell also commented: “We are delighted with the acquisition of Realt, since our arrival in Ireland we have admired the team and look forward to welcoming them all to the EBB family.
“EBB is committed to the Irish market and in developing a local team to drive and manage the business into the future. The paper and board market is in constant change and with that comes challenge and opportunity.
“We believe the combined entity offers the best chance for EBB to support all of the local markets. I and the team at EBB Ireland are looking forward to working alongside new colleagues at Realt and delivering higher value to both customers and suppliers alike.”
EBB told Printweek that Realt would rebrand under the EBB umbrella in the summer.
EBB now employs 50 staff in Ireland, including the addition of those from Realt, while 280 work across the EBB Group in total.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In January, EBB revealed its acquisition of Broadgate Paper, which became part of the group’s Office & Paper division.
