Macfarlane Group

What Macfarlane Group does

Macfarlane Group PLC is a Glasgow-headquartered, London Stock Exchange-listed (LON:MACF) designer, manufacturer and distributor of protective packaging products, founded in 1949 and operating for 75+ years. The group runs two business segments: Packaging Distribution (87% of FY2025 revenue of £300.8m), which sources and distributes protective packaging materials to 20,000 business customers through a network of regional distribution centres across the UK, Ireland and Europe; and Packaging Design and Manufacture (13% of revenue), which uses 3D design software and Innovation Labs to deliver 1,700 bespoke designs annually to manufacturing customers protecting high-value products. The company processed 300,000 orders and logged 3.4 million delivery miles in 2025.

The business model is B2B transaction-based unit pricing for distribution and project-based pricing for bespoke manufacturing, with electronic ordering via the proprietary Customer Connect platform and tailored stock management programmes supporting Just-In-Time supply. Go-to-market is sales-led and decentralised, combining field-based design-led selling for major accounts in target verticals (eCommerce, 3PL, manufacturing, aerospace, medical, defence, automotive, electronics) with national coverage through the RDC network. The company targets new business generation in excess of £12m per annum, gross margins of 30%+ in Distribution and 40%+ in Manufacturing, and a Net Promoter Score of 60.

Macfarlane has pursued an aggressive roll-up M&A strategy since 2014, completing at least 18 acquisitions including Allpack (2024, £3.25m), Polyformes (2024, £11.5m) and Pitreavie (2025, £18m), and operates with 1,000+ employees, a £4m share buyback programme, and net bank debt of £16.2m. FY2025 was described as a difficult year with revenue up 11% but EBITA down 28% to £19.6m, partly due to operational disruption from a fatal incident at the Pitreavie site in October 2025 and pricing competition. ESG credentials include Silver Ecovadis rating (top 10% globally), LSE Green Economy Mark, ISO9001 (since 1983), ISO14001 (since 2007) and 100% FSC-certified sites.

Name

Macfarlane Group

Legal name

Macfarlane Group PLC

Website

https://macfarlanegroup.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Macfarlane Group PLC is a UK-listed (LON:MACF) designer, manufacturer and distributor of protective packaging products, serving 20,000 B2B customers across eCommerce, 3PL, manufacturing, aerospace, medical, defence, and industrial sectors through a national network of regional distribution centres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Protective Packaging Manufacturing and Distribution

NAICS

All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199), Plastics Packaging Materials and Unlaminated Film and Sheet Manufacturing (32611), Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111), Packaging and Labeling Services (56191)

SIC

Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080), Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Engineered Transit Packaging & Packaging Design Services (IMALAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA), Industrial & Protective Thermoformed Packaging (Dunnage, Trays, Clamshells) (IMANAHAC), Packaging & Product Brand Design (BPAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Protective packaging distribution
• Bespoke packaging design
• Industrial packaging supply
• Packaging manufacturing services
• Logistics packaging solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Packaging Distribution: Distribution of protective packaging materials to business users in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Contributes 87% of group sales. The company operates through regional distribution centres providing national network coverage.
2. Packaging Design and Manufacture: Design and manufacture of bespoke protective packaging for high protection value items. Contributes 13% of group sales. Design lead sales approach using 3D software and application testing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Macfarlane Group designs, manufactures and distributes protective packaging products to business customers in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Its Packaging Distribution business (87% of group revenue) sources, stocks and delivers a comprehensive range of protective packaging materials through regional distribution centres; its Packaging Design and Manufacture business (13% of revenue) produces bespoke packaging using 3D design software and application testing for high-value products. Supporting tools include the Packaging Optimiser for cost and sustainability, Innovation Labs for specialist projects, and an electronic trading/online ordering capability.

Product overview

Macfarlane Group operates two core business segments: Packaging Distribution (87% of revenue) and Packaging Design and Manufacture (13% of revenue). The Packaging Distribution business is the UK market leader, operating through regional distribution centres (RDCs) and satellite sites across the UK, Ireland and Europe, providing single-source supply of protective packaging materials with online ordering capabilities via Customer Connect. The Packaging Design and Manufacture segment provides bespoke protective packaging solutions using 3D design software and Innovation Labs, serving high-value product manufacturers requiring enhanced protection during storage and transit. Additional tools include the Packaging Optimiser for cost and sustainability optimization. The company also maintains a network of manufacturing centres throughout the UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Macfarlane Packaging Distribution Distribution of a comprehensive range of protective packaging materials to business users in the UK, Ireland and Europe through a national network of regional distribution centres, providing single-source supply with electronic trading / online ordering (Customer Connect) and tailored stock management programmes.
• Macfarlane Packaging Design and Manufacture Bespoke design and manufacture of protective packaging for high-value products in storage and transit, using 3D design software and rigorous application testing methods. Targets major manufacturing customers in aerospace, medical, defence, electronics, automotive and industrial sectors. Contributes 13% of group revenue.
• Innovation Lab Design laboratory service that uses 3D design software and rigorous application testing to develop bespoke protective packaging solutions for customers requiring enhanced product protection, particularly for high-value or complex products.
• Customer Connect & Online Ordering Online ordering and electronic trading platform enabling Macfarlane's distribution customers to place orders, manage stock and access tailored stock management programmes for protective packaging products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000 distribution customers served
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Pitreavie Group LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Acquisition completed in February 2025. Site experienced fatal incident in October 2025 leading to temporary operations suspension and profit warning.
• Pitreavie GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2025Acquisition of Pitreavie Group for up to £18 million including earn-out of up to £4 million over two years. Pitreavie designs, manufactures, and distributes protective packaging primarily in Scotland, with reported sales of £24.8 million for year ending December 2024.
• PolyformescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2024Acquisition of UK-based protective packaging manufacturer Polyformes for £11.5 million including earn-out. Polyformes serves sectors including aerospace, medical, defence, and industrial. All Polyformes employees joined Macfarlane. Deal expected to be earnings accretive.
• Allpack Packaging SuppliescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2024Acquisition of protective packaging distributor Allpack Packaging Supplies in East Anglia for up to £3.25 million, financed through bank facility. Deal includes earn-out based on profit targets and aims to bolster Macfarlane's presence in the region.
• B&DsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Acquired specialist protective packaging business B&D in 2023
• GottliebsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Acquired protective packaging distributor Gottlieb in 2023
• SuttonssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Acquired specialist protective packaging business Suttons in 2023
• PackMannsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Strategic acquisition of PackMann in Germany in 2022, expanding European presence
• Carters PackagingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Acquired Carters Packaging in Cornwall in 2021
• GWP GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Acquired GWP in South West of England in 2021
• Leyland Packaging CompanysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019Acquired Leyland Packaging Company (Lancs) Limited in 2019
• Ecopac (UK) LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2019Acquired Ecopac (UK) Ltd in 2019
• Tyler Packaging (Leicester) LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Acquired Tyler Packaging (Leicester) Ltd in 2018
• Harrison's Packaging LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Acquired Harrison's Packaging Ltd in 2018
• Greenwoods Stock BoxessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Acquired the trade of Greenwoods Stock Boxes in 2017
• Nelsons for Cartons PackagingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Acquired Nelsons for Cartons Packaging in 2016; Innovation Lab launched same year
• Network PackagingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Acquired Network Packaging in 2014
• National PackagingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Acquired National Packaging in 2001
• Abbotts PackagingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Acquired Abbotts Packaging in 1980 to enter Packaging Distribution market
• EquinitisupportingOthersRegistrars for Macfarlane Group PLC

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ranpak Holdings: Global specialist in paper-based protective packaging with a strong focus on sustainable solutions; competes head-to-head with Macfarlane's design-led and sustainable protective packaging offerings for e-commerce, 3PL and industrial customers.
• Kite Packaging: UK-based distributor of protective and transit packaging products with a national delivery network; directly comparable to Macfarlane's Packaging Distribution segment and a key domestic competitor for stock-and-serve customers.
• Veritiv Corporation: North American packaging distributor and design provider with a strong corrugated, protective and custom packaging portfolio; closely mirrors Macfarlane's two-segment distribution + design/manufacture model in a different geography.
• Pregis: US/EU-based specialist manufacturer of protective packaging materials (air pillows, foam, paper systems) with design-engineering capabilities; directly comparable to Macfarlane's Design and Manufacturing segment for high-value protective solutions.
• RAJA Group: European distributor of packaging, supplies and equipment operating across multiple countries with a strong catalogue and e-commerce offering; directly comparable to Macfarlane's pan-European packaging distribution business and a relevant competitor as Macfarlane expands via PackMann in Germany.

Broad incumbents

• Sealed Air: Global leader in protective and food packaging, with a strong portfolio of bubble wrap, foam, and inflatable packaging systems; competes with Macfarlane's protective packaging range in Europe and is the closest global direct comparable for design-led protective solutions.
• Bunzl plc: UK-listed distribution and outsourcing group operating a multi-category B2B distribution model across packaging, hygiene and foodservice; comparable to Macfarlane for the distribution-led business model and large enterprise customer base, though broader in scope.
• Mondi Group: European integrated paper and packaging group producing corrugated, kraft paper and flexible packaging; competes with Macfarlane in protective and transit packaging, especially for industrial and e-commerce customers across the UK and Europe.
• DS Smith: UK-headquartered global packaging giant offering corrugated, protective and consumer packaging; direct competitor in the UK protective packaging market and the most relevant large incumbent peer for Macfarlane's distribution and design business.
• Smurfit Westrock: Combined global paper-based and protective packaging leader serving FMCG, e-commerce and industrial customers; broad incumbent competitor with overlapping protective packaging product lines and similar end markets to Macfarlane.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/macfarlanegrp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/macfarlane-group-plc

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Macfarlane Group