Ardagh Group, a glass and metal packaging solutions giant, is reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire Saint-Gobain’s Verallia glass packaging unit for about EUR 3 billion (US$ 3.2 billion). The Irish Independent reported that Ardagh, which operates 89 facilities in 21 countries, is nearing the close of its biggest ever acquisition. Saint-Gobain, a French multinational corporation, has had its Verallia glass packaging unit up for sale for months, attracting the attention of Ardagh and other global private equity giants. In January 2013, Ardagh Group agreed to acquire Saint-Gobain’s Verallia North America for €1.275 billion. Ardagh Group, controlled by Dublin financier Paul Coulson, is a global leader in glass & metal packaging solutions and a key supplier to most of the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer care brands. Operating 89 manufacturing facilities across 21 countries, Ardagh employs almost 19,000 people and has global sales of approximately $6.2 billion (Eur 4.7 billion).
