Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd., Scarborough, Ont., Canada, has formed a strategic partnership with York Container Co. (YCC), York, Pa., USA. Details and terms of the partnership are not being disclosed.

Stephen Tansey, president and representative of YCC's shareholders, noted that "York Container is committed to growth and providing innovative solutions to our customers. We have enjoyed robust growth over the past several years, but we believe that, to take our plans to the next level, we need to partner with a like-minded company to expand geographically and extend our capabilities to a broader customer base. After an evaluation of our various options, we are thrilled to join forces with Atlantic. This is the best possible outcome for all of our stakeholders—in particular, our customers and employees."

Irving Granovsky, chairman of Atlantic Packaging, describes the rationale for this transaction: "Atlantic is always looking for progressive and well-managed companies to team up with. We feel that York Container is a wonderful addition to our partnership portfolio."

Dave Boles, president of Atlantic, said that "York Container is one of the most respected independent box companies in the U.S. We have worked hard to identify growth-oriented partners in the northern U.S. for several years. The more we got to know York and their senior executive team, the more we realized that we had two companies with incredibly strong strategic alignment."

Julian Tolbert, COO at York, added that "it is business as usual for our employees and customers at York Container, only now we have the advantage of having the support of a strategic partner committed to industry-leading innovation and customer service over a broader geographic platform."

Atlantic Packaging Products is the largest privately-owned integrated corrugated packaging company in Canada. Atlantic provides customers with a total packaging solution through its key business divisions, which include Corrugated and Color Packaging, Recycled Paper Mills, Retail Packaging & Displays, Paper Bag Products, Supply & Inventory Management, and Recycling. Other Atlantic strategic partners include: Mitchel-Lincoln based in Montreal, Que., Canada; The Standfast Group based in Carol Stream, Ill., USA; Blackhawk Corrugated based in Carol Stream, Ill.; Skybox Packaging, based in Mansfield, Ohio; and Champion Container Corp., based in Wood Dale, Ill. 

York Container Co., a private family-owned business founded in 1954, is an independent manufacturer of corrugated containers and retail packaging in the Mid-Atlantic area. With world-class design, corrugating, and converting capabilities, York has earned a reputation as a regional market leader focused on packaging solutions through its industry-leading innovation, quality, service, and differentiated product designs that benefit both brown-box and color-box customers as well as end-market retailers.