Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has acquired Plastic Packaging, a privately held Hickory, N.C.-based flexible packaging company. Financial terms were not disclosed. PPI specializes in short-run, customized flexible packaging for consumer brands in markets including: food products (i.e. frozen foods, baked goods, seafood), pet products (i.e. dry food, bird seed, litter), confection (i.e. seasonal promotions, heat-sealed chocolate packaging, hard and soft candy) and health and personal care. Through the acquisition, Sonoco gains additional lamination, wide and narrow web flexographic printing, and pouch and bag forming capabilities that will allow Sonoco to better serve its current customers while expanding its customer base. “This acquisition grows our flexible packaging assets in the southeast U.S., adding short-run capabilities that allow us to offer additional speciality and customization capabilities to our customers. PPI complements Sonoco’s existing technologies and leverages our expertise in flexible packaging while expanding our customer base in complementary markets.” Rob Tiede, Sonoco’s senior vice president for Global Consumer Solutions.