Stock Symbol: TSX - CCL.A and CCL.NV.B TORONTO, Aug. 2 /CNW/ - CCL Industries Inc., a world leader in developing and producing specialty-packaging solutions for the consumer products industry, announced today that it has completed the purchase of the remaining 49% of its European joint venture, CCL-Pachem. CCL entered into a joint venture with Pachem AG, based in Austria, in 2003, by purchasing a 51% interest. CCL-Pachem provides global consumer companies with innovative package decorating solutions for their premium European brands. Their operations in Austria, France and the United Kingdom produce state-of-the-art pressure sensitive, shrink sleeve and in mould labels. CCL also announced today that it will acquire the assets of Merroc Ltd., a privately owned label converter based in Cumbernauld, Scotland. Merroc provides leading European paint manufacturers with pressure sensitive colour chip labels. CCL Pachem's U.K. site also provides the paint industry with decorative labeling systems for plastic paint containers. Merroc had sales of approximately Cdn $10 million in 2004. Donald Lang, Vice Chairman and CEO of CCL Industries Inc. said, "Over the last two years, both parties have become very comfortable with the CCL-Pachem partnership and its achievements, including increased revenues of approximately 30% and excellent cash flow." Geoffrey Martin, President and COO of CCL Industries Inc. added, "Guenther Birkner and Thomas Summer, the founders of Pachem, will continue as leading members of the CCL Label global management team and are looking forward to the many growth opportunities ahead. The change in ownership structure will enable the business and the management team to participate more fully in the opportunities provided by our rapidly expanding European network of label companies as evidenced by the acquisition of Merroc." CCL Industries Inc. (TSX CCL.A and CCL.NV.B) provides state-of-the-art packaging solutions, including specialty aluminum containers, plastic tubes and closures and innovative product labelling, to some of the world's largest producers of consumer brands, helping them to get their products to market quickly and cost-effectively. CCL develops and provides specialty-packaging solutions for producers of leading consumer brands in personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household and specialty food and beverage products. With headquarters in Toronto, Canada, CCL directly employs 4,000 people and directly operates 38 production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.