RAJA develops its activities in Scandinavia and Central Europe

B2B mail order business takes over POSTEMBALLASJE and CROSSTRADE / Opening of new office in Copenhagen

Říčany u Prahy, March 2011 – French RAJA Group, the European market leader in B2B mail order packaging solutions, continues its growth trend with two acquisitions. The Group has acquired the Norwegian market leader in packaging trade POSTEMBALLASJE, as well as a Polish packaging retailer CROSSTRADE. This brings RAJA’s total turnover to EUR 350 million. Since March 1, 2011, the business group has also been operating from its office in Copenhagen, Denmark. Headquarters Rajapack Czech Republic is located in Říčany near Prague.

Both these acquisitions and the new branch strengthen RAJA’s position as the European market leader in B2B mail order for packaging solutions. “With the acquisition of POSTEMBALLASJE in Norway, CROSSTRADE in Poland and our presence on the Danish market, we are developing our business activities in Scandinavia and Central Europe,” explains Danièle Kapel-Marcovici, Managing Director of RAJA. “We will also pursue the same strategy in these countries as in our other 14 companies: we want to consolidate our leading position as a B2B mail order packaging business.”

The acquisitions of POSTEMBALLASJE and CROSSTRADE will strengthen the business in Europe

Founded in 1984, the family-owned company POSTEMBALLASJE is now a leader in the multi-channel mail order business in Norway with packaging solutions. The Oslo-based company distributes its range, with more than 2,000 products, through a product catalogue and a dedicated e-shop. With 20 employees and a turnover of eight million euros in 2010, POSTEMBALLASJE is one of the leading packaging retailers in the Norwegian market. The takeover enables the RAJA Group to build its position in the Scandinavian market. In doing so, the group maintains its usual high product quality and comprehensive service offering.

With the acquisition of CROSSTRADE, RAJA has started its operations in Poland. The packaging retailer CROSSTRADE, an important player in the strongly growing Polish market, focusing on domestic sales, is pursuing a multi-channel sales strategy. The company sells over 900 products via catalogue and internet. CROSSTRADE currently supplies its products to approximately 5,000 customers. The takeover of CROSSTRADE further strengthens RAJA’s presence in Central Europe. Already in 2007, the French packaging retailer opened a branch in the Czech Republic.

New branch in Denmark improves customer service

Since 1 March, RAJA has been operating in the Danish capital Copenhagen with its own office and sales team. Rajapack Denmark offers its almost 4,000 products via a 68-page catalogue and the offer is also communicated on its own e-shop. With the new branch, the RAJA Group is decisively developing its sales network in Scandinavia. At the same time, it is improving its customer service through closer contact with the customer and faster response times.

About RAJA

Founded in 1954, the RAJA Group is today the European market leader in B2B mail order packaging solutions. In 2010, the company achieved an annual turnover of around 350 million euros. With 17 locations in 14 countries, RAJA employs almost 1,300 people. More than 9,000 products are currently on offer.