In a management buyout, the previous management team led by Markus Pennekamp is taking over the Saueressig Packaging and Saueressig Surfaces divisions from Matthews International. The newly founded Saueressig Group GmbH will bundle the activities under one roof.
The change of ownership was completed on 16 December 2025. The locations in Europe and Asia will continue to be managed from Vreden; according to the company, the operational structure will remain unchanged.
Packaging business remains operationally unchanged
According to the press release, there will be no changes to products, services or contacts for customers in the packaging sector. At the same time, the new ownership structure will open up entrepreneurial scope, for example for innovation projects, digitalisation and cross-location collaboration.
Saueressig Group bundles locations and history
The Packaging and Surfaces divisions are part of a development that began with the acquisition of Saueressig by Matthews International in 2008. In subsequent years, Ungricht (2017) and AKG Ahler Gravuren (2022), among others, were integrated; these units will be brought together under the umbrella of the Saueressig Group in future with the management buyout.
The group employs around 790 people worldwide. The network includes the headquarters in Vreden with Saueressig Vreden GmbH and AKG Ahler Gravuren GmbH, Ungricht in Mönchengladbach as well as branches in Poland (Poznan and Warsaw) and a site in Surabaya (Indonesia).
Financing with regional investors and employee participation
According to the company, the move is supported by investors from the region as well as partners with a regional network and a focus on sustainable investments. Employees were also able to participate in the financing.
Source: Sour vinegar
