Greif to Acquire Lee Container

Greif, Inc., global leader in industrial packaging, is purchasing Lee Container. Greif, headquartered in Delaware, Ohio, is an American manufacturing company with over 16,000 employees worldwide. The transaction is expected to close in December.
Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, producing steel, plastic and fiber drums, intermediate bulk containers, reconditioned containers, containerboard, uncoated recycled paperboard, coated recycled paperboard, tubes and cores and a diverse mix of specialty products. Originally a manufacturer of barrels, the company is now focused on producing industrial packaging and containers. In 2018, the company ranked 642 on the Fortune 1000. The company was founded in 1877.
“The Lee Container family is excited for today’s announcement and the opportunities it presents for our colleagues, customers and suppliers”, added Robert Varnedoe, Chief Executive Officer of Lee Container. “Greif brings additional industry expertise, scale, and customer service focus that will be formative in continuing the strong growth fundamentals of the company. Our customers and suppliers will benefit from the enhanced product offering of Greif, and I’m most excited that our colleagues will join a thriving, people-first culture at Greif.”
“The acquisition of Lee Container is a critical step in our continued Build to Last journey”, said Ole Rosgaard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Greif. “Lee is an exceptional strategic and cultural fit, with exceptional people and values as well as a favorable mix of product and end market exposures. The Lee acquisition solidifies our commitment to growing our jerrycan and small plastic bottle footprint and adds a further growth engine to our GIP business. I am excited to welcome our new colleagues to the Greif family and look forward to growing our business together with them.”
All three of the Lee Container plants will continue to operate as they have, with the same leadership and personnel. Recently, Grief was ranked in Newsweek magazine’s Most Loved Workplaces list, where they ranked 59th out of the top 100 U.S. companies for 2021.