Storopack acquisition heightens activities in Japan

Storopack, a leader in protective packaging, has acquired Japanese company EJ Co., Ltd.

For several years, EJ was a Storopack trading partner in Japan for the sales of paper cushioning and air cushions. EJ is a market leader for loose fill in Japan and supplies customers nationwide with protective packaging under the ECOsoft, ECOtouch and HItouch brand names.

Over the coming months, during the integration of EJ in the Storopack Group, the company will operate under the Storopack Japan Co. Ltd. name. The firm has its own production plants at its headquarters in Ebina in Kanagawa-Ken as well as in Komaki in Nagoya.

Youichi Isawa, who has been managing director of EJ Co., Ltd. for more than six years, will continue to head up operations. The company currently employs a staff of 33. Frank Imkamp, president, Asia-Pacific, is responsible for market development of the packaging division in this region. Imkamp will be working alongside Isawa during the integration process.

“This acquisition represents an important strategic step for us,” Imkamp said, since direct presence enables closeness to the customer and therefore the required understanding of the Japanese market. The objective is to gradually expand the product range as needed.