{{Infobox company | name = VPK Group | logo = Vpk-logo-pos-rgb@2x.png | logo_caption = | logo_upright = <!-- default: 1 --> | logo_alt = | type = Private | traded_as = | industry = Packaging | founded = {{Start date and age|1936}} | founder = Omer Macharis | hq_location_city = Aalst | hq_location_country = Belgium | area_served = <!-- or: areas_served = --> | key_people = Pierre Macharis (CEO)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trends.knack.be/ondernemen/vpk-packaging-laat-belgie-niet-vallen/ |title=VPK Packaging laat België niet vallen |date=9 September 2010 |website=Trends}}</ref> | products = | revenue = {{increase}} €2.1 billion (2022) | owner = <!-- or: owners = --> | num_employees = | num_employees_year = | parent = | website = {{URL|vpkgroup.com}} }} '''VPK Group''' is a Belgian paper and cardboard company specializing in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard packaging from recycled paper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/logistiek/dit-is-de-grootste-overname-in-de-geschiedenis-van-vpk/10100445.html |url-access=subscription |title=Dit is de grootste overname in de geschiedenis van VPK |first=Jan |last=De Schamphelaere|date=21 February 2019|website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/zware-industrie/vpk-steekt-200-miljoen-in-nieuwe-papierfabriek/10022622.html |url-access=subscription |title=VPK steekt 200 miljoen in nieuwe papierfabriek |date=16 June 2018 |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/papier-hoge-prijs-doet-vpk-package-pijn~b96fb80c/ | title=Papier Hoge prijs doet VPK Package pijn |date=15 May 2010|website=De Morgan}}</ref> It is based in Aalst, Belgium.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/personeel-vpk-packaging-opnieuw-aan-het-werk~bb98114e/ | title=Personeel VPK Packaging opnieuw aan het werk |date=17 December 2007 |website=De Morgan}}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{cite web | url=https://www.7sur7.be/economie/vpk-packaging-decide-d-investir-en-wallonie~ada077d7/ | title=VPK Packaging décide d'investir en Wallonie |website=7sur7}}</ref> Pierre Macharis is the current chief executive officer (CEO) of the company.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/logistiek/pierre-macharis-vpk-onbegrijpelijk-dat-nachtwerk-in-e-commerce-niet-kan/10393720.html|title=Pierre Macharis (VPK): 'Onbegrijpelijk dat nachtwerk in e-commerce niet kan' |url-access=subscription |first1=Bert |last1=Broens |first2=Simon |last2=Souris |date=4 June 2022 |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20230328_94659031 | title=Kartonfabriek VPK betaalt in België drie keer zoveel voor elektriciteit als in Frankrijk | date=28 March 2023 |website=De Standaard }}</ref>
==History== VPK Group was founded in 1936 by Omer Macharis as a paper factory in Oudegem, Belgium.<ref name="auto4"/> It was later renamed as the United Paper and Board Mills (VPK).<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="DeCat2019">{{Cite web|url=https://trends.knack.be/ondernemen/pierre-macharis-bouwt-papier-en-kartongroep-vpk-uit-tot-wereldwijde-speler/ |title=Pierre Macharis bouwt papier- en kartongroep VPK uit tot wereldwijde speler |first=Kurt |last=De Cat |date=26 February 2019 |website=Trends}}</ref> After World War II, Fernand Macharis became the head of the company.<ref name="DeCat2019"/>
In the early 1990s, Pierre Macharis and his brother assumed management of the company from their father, Fernand Macharis.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/logistiek/m-v-van-de-week-pierre-macharis/10101010.html |url-access=subscription |title=M/V van de week |first=Lukas |last=Vanacker |date=23 February 2019 |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref name="DeCat2019"/>
In 1999, VPK underwent an initial public offering, raising 50 million euros, and was listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/zware-industrie/vpk-investeert-200-miljoen-euro-in-kartonfabrieken/9896065.html |url-access=subscription |title=VPK investeert 200 miljoen euro in kartonfabrieken |first1=Tom |last1=Michielsen |first2=Jan |last2=De Schampheleare |date=19 May 2017 |website=De Tijd}}</ref> The funding was used to expand production capacity at the Uniwell corrugated cardboard factory in Raamsdonkveer, Netherlands.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web | url=https://www.demorgen.be/plus/vpk-packaging-naar-de-beurs~b301644a/ | title=VPK Packaging naar de beurs |url-access=subscription |date=29 January 1999 |website=De Morgen}}</ref> During the same period, the company increased its shareholding in the Northern French packaging group, Ondulys and acquired Rigid Group in the UK.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.packagingtoday.co.uk/news/newsvpk-seeks-further-growth|title=VPK seeks further growth |website=Packaging Today}}</ref>
In 2005, VPK expanded its operations into Poland and Romania.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/zware-industrie/pierre-macharis-ceo-vpk-packaging-we-houden-van-belgie-maar-de-energiekosten-zijn-een-grote-zorg/10473950.html |url-access=subscription |title=Pierre Macharis, CEO VPK Packaging: 'We houden van België, maar de energiekosten zijn een grote zorg' |first=Jan |last=De Schampheleare |date=12 June 2023 |website=De Tijd}}</ref>
In 2010, VPK acquired Mondi Packaging Saint Quentin, a French corrugated cardboard company, for 20 million euros.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web | url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/vpk-packaging-neemt-frans-golfkartonbedrijf-over~b1e68b68/ |url-access=subscription | title=VPK Packaging neemt Frans golfkartonbedrijf over |date=2 February 2009 |website=De Morgen }}</ref> Following this acquisition, the company was renamed Ondulys Saint Quentin, aligning with VPK's French corrugated cardboard division.<ref name="auto2"/>
In 2011, VPK invested 30 million euros in a joint venture, constructing a factory in Leinefelde, Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/industries-de-base/vpk-construit-une-nouvelle-usine-en-allemagne/9104236.html |title=VPK construit une nouvelle usine en Allemagne |date=14 September 2011 |url-access=subscription |website=L'Echo}}</ref>
In 2013, VPK, in a joint venture with Klingele, acquired the UPM Stracel factory in France from UPM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/grondstoffen/vpk-doet-bod-op-duitse-papierfabriek/9209439.html |url-access=subscription |title=VPK doet bod op Duitse papierfabriek |first1=Erika |last1=Racquet |first2=Jan |last2=De Schampheleare |date=3 July 2012 |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.upm.com/about-us/for-media/releases/2013/01/upm-signs-agreement-on-the-sale-of-assets-of-upm-stracel-in-france/ | title=UPM signs agreement on the sale of assets of UPM Stracel in France}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://nouvelles-graphiques.levif.be/nouvelles-graphiques/vpk-coproprietaire-de-l-usine-stracel/article-normal-415585.html?cookie_check=1697116242 | title=VPK copropriétaire de l'usine Stracel | date=28 January 2013}}</ref>
In 2015, VPK invested 6.5 million euros in a facility in Courcelles, Wallonia, naming the subsidiary Cartonneries de Wallonie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/logistique/vpk-packaging-s-attaque-a-la-wallonie/9625898.html|title=VPK Packaging s'attaque à la Wallonie |first=Younes |last=Al Bouchouari |date=24 April 2015 |url-access=subscription |website=L'Echo}}</ref><ref name="auto5"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/zware-industrie/vpk-bouwt-fabriek-in-belgie/9625700.html |url-access=subscription |title=VPK bouwt fabriek in België |date=23 April 2015 |first=Jan |last=De Schampheleare |website=De Tijd}}</ref>
In 2016, VPK acquired Peterson Packaging, which operated six factories in Scandinavia.<ref name="DeTijd2016">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/zware-industrie/vpk-floreert-en-doet-grote-overname-na-beursexit/9815529.html |url-access=subscription |title=VPK floreert en doet grote overname na beursexit |date=3 October 2016 |first=Jan |last=De Schampheleare |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2016/10/03/vpk_neemt_scandinavischeverpakkingsgroepover-1-2784662/ | title=VPK neemt Scandinavische verpakkingsgroep over | date=3 October 2016 }}</ref> As a result, VPK became a packaging supplier for IKEA.<ref name="DeTijd2016"/>
In 2019, VPK acquired the European and Chinese operations of Corenso from NPAC International.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/produits-de-consommation/vpk-s-ouvre-les-portes-de-la-chine/10100182.html |title=VPK s'ouvre les portes de la Chine |first=Dominique |last=Liesse |date=21 February 2019 |url-access=subscription |website=L'Echo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/zware-industrie/Nieuwe-overname-stuurt-VPK-naar-China/10100180 |title=Nieuwe overname stuurt VPK naar China |first=Lukas |last=Vanacker |date=21 February 2019 |url-access=subscription |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trends.knack.be/kanaal-z/z-nieuws/vpk-neemt-15-fabrieken-over-en-wordt-actief-in-china/ |title=VPK neemt 15 fabrieken over en wordt actief in China |first=Ilse |last=De Witte |date=21 February 2019 |website=Trends}}</ref> As a result of this acquisition, VPK expanded its operations into China.<ref name="auto3"/>
In 2022, VPK repurposed the Alizay Double A Paper factory in Normandy to produce lightweight recycled containerboard and e-commerce packaging.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lesechos.fr/pme-regions/normandie/normandie-le-papetier-belge-vpk-choisit-alizay-plutot-que-la-chapelle-darblay-1320810 | title=Normandie : Le papetier belge VPK choisit " Double A " à Alizay plutôt que Chapelle Darblay | date=4 June 2021 }}</ref>
In 2023, VPK acquired Arteche Paper, again through its subsidiary Corex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/retail/verpakkingsreus-vpk-wipt-over-2-miljard-euro-omzet/10448868.html |title=Verpakkingsreus VPK wipt over 2 miljard euro omzet |first=Bert |last=Broens |date=21 February 2023 |website=De Tijd}}</ref> In October 2023, VPK acquired a majority stake in Zetacarton, an Italian corrugated-cardboard producer located near Como.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euwid-paper.com/news/companies/vpk-acquires-zetacarton-to-enter-corrugated-market-in-italy-181023/|title=VPK acquires Zetacarton to enter corrugated market in Italy|date=October 18, 2023}}</ref> During the same month, VPK also took a minority shareholding in Ribble Packaging, a UK-based specialist in fanfold corrugated board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euwid-paper.com/news/companies/vpk-acquires-monority-stake-in-ribble-in-the-uk-021123/|title=VPK acquires monority stake in Ribble in the UK|date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>
In January 2024, VPK Group entered into a 50:50 joint venture with IEMME Packaging, a corrugated-board manufacturer in Gambolò, near Milan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.paperage.com/2024news/01-25-2024vpk-enters-jv-with-iemme.html|title=VPK Group Announces Joint Venture with Italian Corrugated Packaging Producer IEMME}}</ref> On April 28, 2025, VPK Group completed the acquisition of another Italian firm, Open Imballaggi, a sheet plant specializing in corrugated-cardboard packaging located near Bergamo, Lombardy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.printweek.com/content/news/vpk-group-continues-european-expansion-with-italian-deal/|title=VPK Group continues European expansion with Italian deal|first=Richard|last=Stuart-Turner|date=April 28, 2025|website=Printweek}}</ref>
==Awards and recognition== * 2023: Award for Best Belgian Sustainability Report<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibr-ire.be/fr/actualites/news-detail/the-2023-awards-for-best-impact-sustainability-reports-go-to|title=The 2023 Awards for Best Impact Sustainability Reports go to Umicore, VPK Group and VUB}}</ref> * 2024: Family Business Award of Excellence<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ey.com/en_be/family-enterprise/vpk-group-triumphs-as-2024-ambassador-of-the-family-business-award-of-excellence|title=VPK Group triumphs as 2024 ambassador of the Family Business Award of Excellence}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/management-ondernemerschap/verpakkingsgroep-vpk-is-familiebedrijf-van-het-jaar/10536010.html |title=Verpakkingsgroep VPK is familiebedrijf van het jaar |website=De Tijd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/general/l-emballeur-vpk-sacre-entreprise-familiale-de-l-annee/10535959.html|title=L'emballeur VPK sacré entreprise familiale de l'année|website=L'Echo}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Companies listed on Euronext Brussels Category:1936 establishments in Belgium