WestRock shareholders approve merger with Smurfit Kappa
Atlanta-based WestRock shareholders have approved the proposed merger of the company with Irish corrugation company Smurfit Kappa. This transaction between two giants of the industry is valued at USD 11.2-billion.

Fedrigoni acquires majority stake in BoingTech
Reportedly, Fedrigoni has agreed to acquire a majority stake in RFID specialist BoingTech. BoingTech is a subsidiary of Shanghai Inlay Link Inc, a NEEQ-listed Chinese holding company that manufactures UHF and HF/NFC RFID inlays and tags in two plants, in China and Malaysia.

UK Packaging firm DS Smith agrees on GBP 5.8-bn takeover by US group
Sources have informed PackMan that UK packaging firm DS Smith is to be taken over by a bigger US rival, International Paper after the companies agreed to a USD 6.4-billion all-share deal. The hope is that this deal will create a global leader in sustainable packaging, and create an opportunity to optimise the supply chain by improving the mill network. Through this deal, both companies expect to save USD 461-million a year by the end of the fourth year after the takeover.

Macfarlane Group acquires Polyformes
PackMan has learnt that Glasgow-headquartered Macfarlane’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Macfarlane Group UK, has acquired 100% of Polyformes for £11.5m, including an earn-out of up to £4.8m based on agreed profit growth targets over two years.

Mars set to buy Kellanova
PackMan has big news, Mars Incorporated is set to buy 100-year-old Kellanova in a deal worth USD 35.9-billion. Kellanova houses brands like Pringles, Pop-Tarts, Cheez-It, and Kellogg’s. This portfolio complements Mars’ brands, which include, Snickers, M&Ms, and Pedigree, among others.

Campbell’s acquires Sovos Brands
In a deal valued at USD 2.7-billion, PackMan has heard that the Campbell Soup Company has acquired Sovos Brands. Sovos Brands has a premium portfolio of products like pasta sauces, dry pasta, and frozen items. Some of the brands it owns are Rao’s Michael Angelo’s, and noosa.

JM Smucker buys Hostess Brands (Twinkies)
A deal announced in September of last year has finally been closed, according to PackMan’s sources. JM Smucker has completed the purchase of Twinkies manufacturer, Hostess Brands. This deal includes the acquisition of Hostess’ manufacturing facilities in Kansas, Ontario, Illinois, Indianapolis, and Arkansas. Approximately 3,000 employees will join JM Smucker as a result of this deal.

Kraft Heinz evaluating the sale of Oscar Mayer
According to a leading international business magazine, Kraft Heinz has hired advisors to help sell its processed meat business, Oscar Mayer, at USD 3–5-billion. Per the same report, Kraft Heinz is also planning to take over Utz (a chips company), and Bell Ring Brands and Simply Good Foods, both nutrition-focused FMCG companies. This effort is being made to reconfigure Kraft Heinz’s product portfolio.