Smarter Capital launches a dedicated packaging acquisitions vertical

Smarter Capital has appointed Jeremy Pilgrim as Managing Director of Smarter Packaging, its newly formed vertical dedicated to acquiring and scaling packaging distributors specialising in transit, presentational and consumable packaging.

Jeremy joins with more than 40 years of industry experience, having held senior leadership roles across the UK packaging sector. His background includes Sales and Marketing Director positions and an early role at Allpoint Ltd, where he became a shareholder and helped scale the business to £10 million in turnover.

Following Allpoint's acquisition by Macfarlane PLC, Jeremy spent a further 17 years as a Director within Macfarlane's Retail and Gift Packaging division.

Deep sector and international sourcing experience

Jeremy is widely recognised for building and leading Far Eastern sourcing programmes. He has made more than 100 visits to key manufacturing regions and developed long-standing, Sedex-approved supply partnerships across China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Thailand.

This combination of operational leadership, sector relationships and international sourcing capability will support Smarter Capital's ambition to build a market-leading packaging group.

Why packaging matters to Smarter Capital's acquisition strategy

The packaging-services sector spans distributors that supply, kit, pack and fulfil. It is worth approximately £8.6 billion and includes around 4,100 UK businesses, creating an attractive and fragmented market for consolidation and value creation.

Smarter Capital's packaging strategy centres on three high-demand categories.

1. Transit and logistics packaging

UK parcel volumes reached approximately 4.2 billion items in the 2024–25 financial year, representing year-on-year growth of around 7%. This drives recurring, non-discretionary demand for boxes, tape, void fill, labels and other essential consumables.

2. Presentational, luxury and gift packaging

Retailers and ecommerce brands continue to invest in premium unboxing experiences. Demand is growing for rigid boxes, printed and coated boards, tissue, ribbons, inserts and other presentation-led packaging formats.

Distributors with established Far Eastern sourcing networks are particularly well positioned to respond to this opportunity.

3. Specialist consumables and value-added services

As companies focus more closely on sustainability, short-run customisation and multi-channel fulfilment, distributors with agile sourcing, dependable supply chains and integrated service models will have a competitive advantage.

Packaging distributors are increasingly acting as strategic partners, enabling brands to scale while meeting environmental, operational and regulatory expectations.

A strategic platform with deals already underway

Smarter Capital has established a healthy pipeline of targeted packaging companies and is in advanced discussions with several acquisition candidates.

The new Smarter Packaging vertical will provide a platform from which to acquire, integrate and scale packaging and packaging-adjacent businesses, combining operational excellence with market-leading commercial capability.

Building a market-leading packaging group

Mark Callaghan said Jeremy brings exceptional sector expertise, relationships and credibility, positioning Smarter Packaging to build a market-leading group through strategic and thoughtful acquisitions.

A new opportunity for packaging founders

Jeremy described the launch as an opportunity to reshape what packaging distribution can be. He highlighted Smarter Capital's ambition, resources and operational backbone, and said he is looking forward to working with founders who want to take their businesses to the next level.