Our history
Building a Packaging Legacy for Future Generations
From a single tin can manufacturer in Ulricehamn to a growing European packaging partner, Emballator’s story is shaped by long-term thinking, hands-on expertise and an ambition to create sustainable value. It is a journey that began in 1975, when Herenco acquired Ulricehamns Bleck — a company built on craftsmanship, focus and a strong local culture. What started as a necessary step to broaden a media company’s future has since grown into a dedicated packaging group with deep material knowledge and a commitment to responsible growth.
A steady owner with a long-term view
Herenco’s role has been central from the beginning. Guided by family ownership and a genuine interest in people, Herenco has provided stability while encouraging development. Over the decades, this steady foundation has enabled Emballator to make thoughtful decisions, invest in new capabilities and build strong relationships with customers. The long-term perspective has also created room for learning — from early acquisitions and organisational shifts to the development of new materials and more efficient production.
In a discussion with our owner and chairwomen of the Herenco board, Lovisa Hamrin, she talked about her father Stig Fredrikssons genuine affection to the Ulricehamn factory. He took the decision to widen the scope with industries and not just media, and he always talked about how welcome he felt when going to the Ulricehamn facility. He loved the people and the culture and that heritage still lives in the now extended Emballator family.
Growing through knowhow, collaboration and new ideas
As the portfolio expanded — with companies in Lagan, Mellerud, Växjö and later the UK — Emballator evolved into a group with complementary strengths across materials and formats. The move into plastics in the 1980s and 1990s came from real customer needs, while the UK operation was built from the ground up in close cooperation with a single committed customer. Starting in an empty hangar with relocated machines, the UK team developed a model that combined metals and plastics under one roof and embraced recycled materials early on. These steps reflect the group’s practical, problem-solving mindset. More companies have been added to the Emballator family over the years, such as Tectubes, Bra Plast, Metalpak, Europak and Avez.
Strong customer dialogue has always been a driving force. Being present on site, understanding real production flows and responding quickly helped shape Emballator’s culture of service. Over time, the group moved from operating as separate units to working together as one Emballator — united in supporting customers and sharing knowledge across sites.
Innovation grounded in real needs
Emballator’s Innovation Center, opened in 2022, is a natural continuation of this journey. It brings together expertise in materials, design and production to explore smarter, safer and more resourceefficient packaging solutions. Innovation here is practical and customerdriven, with a clear focus on sustainability as part of the company’s values.
Looking ahead: progressing together
Today, Emballator continues to grow — with new companies, expanded capabilities and stronger partnerships across Europe. What remains constant is the belief that progress happens together: with customers, with employees and with an owner committed to long-term development. The aim is simple yet ambitious — to build reliable, sustainable packaging solutions for future generations.
