Paper merchants BJ Ball and K.W. Doggett have revealed their newly merged business will be known as Ball & Doggett from 1 August. Details of the expected ‘site rationalisations’ arising from the merger have yet to be announced.
The deal, announced in April, will see leading global pulp and paper company Japan Pulp & Paper (JPP) acquire a 51% stake in the new entity.
In a statement, K.W. Doggett says the completion date for the merger and change of ownership is 3 July 2017. The operational merger of the two businesses will take place on 1 August 2017.
As we merge the two businesses, some great synergies among our people are emerging. We're excited about what Ball & Doggett will be able to offer and our ability to keep supporting the graphics and printing industry in Australia and New Zealand. In a few weeks, we'll confirm all relevant contact details to ensure you experience a smooth transition into the new entity, plus we'll reveal the new Ball & Doggett logo and state teams.
Pulp and paper industry analyst Tim Woods of IndustryEdge says ‘rationalisations’ of existing BJ Ball and K.W. Doggett facilities are on the way.
“Inevitable site rationalisations have already been flagged, with the merger providing an opportunity to ensure the cost base of the business is consistent with the changes in the industry’s demand, and is capable of delivering future value in both the mature and growth sectors of the graphic communications industry.”
Tokyo-based JPP is a leading Japanese paper and paperboard distribution company and has expanded the activities of its group to include manufacturing, processing and wholesaling of paper and paperboard, along with other arms of the business such as real estate leasing, ICT and renewable energy generation.
Woods says the Japanese parent company will bring its diversified business model to Australia.
“When JPP arrives in Australia and New Zealand as the majority owner of the newly merged BJ Ball and KW Doggett, the venerable merchant, manufacturer and converter will bring with it an increasingly diversified business model, spreading its reach beyond the world of paper and paperboard.”
JPP is also preparing to change its name to OVOL. The new name is intended to be reflective of a business that is in transition, says Woods.
“The Australasian market has long been attractive to JPP,” according to Akihiko Watanabe, President of JPP/OVOL. “The opportunity to enter this market with such a strongly-aligned partner enables us to leverage significant existing relationships and introduce more diverse products here. We look forward to the ongoing benefit this will bring to the market and customers and becoming a long-term partner to the ANZ market.”