Amsterdam-based metal packaging firm Impress has appointed WMC
Communications as its strategic PR consultancy throughout Europe.
WMC, David Wynne-Morgan’s London-based consultancy, will work on all
aspects of internal and external relations as Impress, which is
currently ranked as Europe’s number two metal packager, behind Metalbox,
is planning to challenge for world leadership during the next two
years.
The account will be handled by WMC managing director Tracey Camilleri
who will work directly with Impress’ French chief executive Dominique
Damon.
WMC will focus on Impress’ key markets in Germany, Italy, Netherlands,
France and the UK.
Impress was formed in May last year, following a buy-out of French
metals group Pechiney and its German rival Schmalbach-Lubeca. The deal
was financed by venture capitalist Doughty Hanson, which now owns 55 per
cent of Impress.
Pechiney and Schmalbach-Lubeca each hold a 20 per cent stake in the new
company.
The level of Impress’ profile among the business community and the wider
public is particularly important, given that the firm’s track record
would indicate the likelihood that Doughty Hanson will want to float the
company in the near future to make a return on its investment.
Doughty Hanson, set up in 1995, aims to float companies in which it
invests after three to five years.
Impress has factories spread across 12 countries, employs 7,850 staff
and has a turnover of pounds 760 million. WMC chairman Wynne-Morgan
said: ’This is a very significant account and exactly the kind of
business we were set up to handle.’
