M&H, manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging to the personal care, healthcare and selected food segments, employs 700 staff.

RPC said the deal compliments the company's existing strong presence in European rigid plastic personal care packaging, creates a stronger platform for the group in the US, and extends the group's product ranges to include flexible tubes and range of personal care packaging

Pim Vervaat, RPC chief executive, said the deal represents an important step in realising the company's strategy of consolidation in Europe and boosting its presence outside of Europe.

"M&H is a well-established and highly respected business which has a good strategic fit with RPC. It operates in our core geographic and product markets and complements the group's existing market positions very well."

David Duffield, M&H's chief executive, will lead the M&H management team under the deal.

"Within RPC the company will be best placed to enhance its product and service offering and take full advantage of the opportunities for growth that exist in Europe and North America," he said.

"A good cultural fit exists in the way in which RPC and M&H operate and this will form a strong foundation for future success. The management team are delighted to be joining RPC."

RPC says it has funded the acquisition entirely from existing debt facilities.