HAWKESBURY packaging giant Hannapak has been sold to WestRock – a multinational company – after being a family-run operation for 60 years.
Hanna Group was founded in 1957 by Charles Alfred Stuart Hanna Snr and his son, Charles Hanna, who began making printed advertising balloons from a small factory behind their home in Carlingford.
The business moved to its current location on Bells Line of Road in North Richmond in 1967, into a purpose-built factory where it commenced printing and manufacturing advertising matches. The company began trading as Hanna Match Group.
Charles Hanna Snr retired in 1969 and Charles Hanna (his son) took over the business, expanding its advertising specialty offerings and its reach around Australia and into New Zealand.
Charles Hanna purchased folding carton manufacturing company Boxton & Carr in 1984, which was relocated to the North Richmond facility and incorporated into the Group as Hannapak.
By the time Hannapak was sold in October this year, it had grown to become the largest privately-owned, family-operated company in the folding cartons segment in Australia.
Charles Hanna has now moved on – after 60 years in the business and 50 years in the Hawkesbury – and Hannapak will be renamed WestRock Oceania P/L from December 1 this year.
The acquiring company, WestRock, is a folding carton and paperboard manufacturer based in the United States, with operations in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan and South America.
It will be relocating the employees based in its Baulkham Hills office to the North Richmond site in January, where it will undertake structural work and an office refit.
Hannapak produces the packaging – both cardboard and plastic – for numerous household names including Lindt Lindor, Magnum icecreams, Bundaberg Rum, Blackmores healthcare products, and six-packs of beer from the brands Coopers, Carlton, James Squire and Heineken.
Hannapak has the naming rights for Hanna Park, the reserve next to the Hannapak building on the river, which it leases from Hawkesbury Council.
The Gazette has contacted Hannapak and WestRock for comment.
