Packaging Acquisitions in 2021

Comar, a specialty medical-device and packaging manufacturer majority-owned by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, has acquired Omega Packaging, a La Mirada, California-based maker of injection- and blow-molded closures and jars. The deal—backed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners and financed by Golub Capital Credit Opportunities with participation from Brightwood Capital and Everberg Capital—expands Comar's rigid packaging portfolio, adds child-resistant and continuous-thread closure capacity, and brings precision mold-making capabilities to its platform.

Rhône Group has acquired Paragon Films, a leading North American manufacturer of high-performance stretch films, from Wellspring Capital Management. The transaction is a secondary buyout intended to support Paragon's continued growth in sustainable, high-performance packaging solutions; financial terms were not disclosed.

Innovative Packaging Company (IPC), a Shore Capital Partners–backed specialty packaging distributor based in Vancouver, Washington, has acquired Colorado-based Landmark Packaging, Inc. The add-on expands IPC's geographic footprint into the greater Colorado market and broadens its product and service capabilities across food & beverage, industrial, and cannabis end markets; terms were not disclosed.

ProAmpac, a Cincinnati-based flexible packaging company owned by Pritzker Private Capital, has acquired Prairie State Group (PSG), an SQF-certified flexible packaging and labeling provider based in Franklin Park, Illinois. The deal expands ProAmpac's labeling, pouching and sustainable packaging capabilities and strengthens its presence in the food and pet food end markets; terms were not disclosed.

AmerCareRoyal, backed by HCI Equity Partners, acquired Ross & Wallace Paper Products, a Hammond, Louisiana manufacturer of paper grocery and merchandise bags. The acquisition — AmerCareRoyal's seventh add-on since HCI's initial investment — closed on September 23, 2021; financial terms were not disclosed.

Rohrer Corporation, a portfolio company of Wellspring Capital Management, has acquired Jay Packaging Group, a specialty printing and thermoforming packaging company based in Warwick, Rhode Island. The deal expands Rohrer's East Coast manufacturing footprint and adds high-end printing, thermoforming and folded-carton capabilities to its packaging platform.

Clearlake Capital-backed Pretium Packaging has acquired Grupo Edid, a family-owned Mexican rigid packaging manufacturer and paperboard printer headquartered in Lerma, Mexico. The add-on acquisition expands Pretium's manufacturing footprint into Mexico and brings Grupo Edid's sustainability-focused capabilities (thin-wall injection molding and FSC-certified printed packaging) into the Pretium platform.

Charlesbank Capital Partners has acquired BOX Partners, a family-owned, technology-enabled wholesaler of packaging, shipping and industrial supplies headquartered in Elgin, Illinois. The deal—funded with equity and debt and marking the company's first outside equity—positions BOX to expand product categories, geographies and e-commerce capabilities; Neil Thomas will become CEO and the company's co-founder and president will step down.

Ranpak Holdings Corp (Ranpak) has acquired Recycold Cool Solutions BV, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of sustainable, plant-based gel cool packs. The acquisition expands Ranpak's cold chain product portfolio by integrating Recycold's cool packs into Ranpak's paper-based thermal protection solutions to provide a single-source, more sustainable cold chain offering.

Wynnchurch Capital has acquired the thermal coating business assets of Appvion Holding Corp., a long-established provider of direct thermal coatings and renewable, fiber-based packaging solutions. The transaction, terms not disclosed, transfers Appvion's thermal coating operations (headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin) to Wynnchurch, which said it will invest to drive growth and capitalize on tailwinds in labels and packaging.

GPA Global has completed the acquisition of ASG's print & packaging facility in Pruszków, Poland, together with ASG's print technical sales offices in the UK, France and the Netherlands. The majority-stake deal (ASG Print) gives GPA an 8,000 sqm central European manufacturing base for folding cartons and rigid boxes and forms the first step in GPA Global's planned European expansion.

Funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities have acquired Sustana Group, a North American manufacturer of recycled fiber, paper and sustainable packaging products, from an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. The transaction positions Sustana to accelerate expansion and capitalize on growing ESG-driven demand for sustainable packaging and premium papers under Blackstone's ownership.

Selig Group, owned by CC Industries, has acquired Manufacture Générale de Joints (MGJ), a France-based supplier of foam-based closure liners. The acquisition expands Selig's packaging capabilities and global footprint, with MGJ adopting the Selig Group name and continuing to operate from its primary facility near Lyon while supporting broader development of sustainable products.

SupplyOne, a portfolio company of Wellspring Capital Management, has acquired IC Industries, Inc., a privately held corrugated converter and packaging company headquartered in Hialeah, Florida. The acquisition expands SupplyOne's converting capabilities and scale in South Florida, bringing IC Industries' customers access to additional product lines, automation expertise, and the decentralized operating support of SupplyOne.

Wildpack Beverage Inc. (TSXV: CANS) has completed the acquisition of KT Murray Corporation dba Land and Sea Packaging, a high-volume aluminum can brokering business based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for US$37.2 million. The transaction was funded with cash and shares and complements Wildpack's filling, decorating and geographic expansion strategy while adding supply-chain brokering capabilities and an established customer base.

Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) has acquired Hart Print, a Quebec-based digital printing services provider for aluminum beverage cans. The acquisition (terms not disclosed) expands AMP's digital short-run printing capabilities to better serve emerging brands and support larger customers' shorter-run and promotional needs.

Oshkosh-based Pacur, a Gryphon Investors-backed supplier of PETG sheet for medical device packaging, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CAROLEX SAS, a PETG sheet extruder based in Longué, France, from epsotech Holding GmbH. The deal expands Pacur's extrusion capabilities and European presence to better serve medical, pharmaceutical and food packaging customers; terms were not disclosed.

Oak Hill Capital and CPP Investments have entered into a definitive recapitalization agreement with Berlin Packaging, with the Berlin Packaging management team (led by CEO Bill Hayes) making a significant co-investment. The recapitalization will support Berlin Packaging’s next growth stage, including expanding digital and e‑commerce capabilities, sustainability initiatives, and continued accretive acquisitions and international expansion.

ACW Flex Pack, a portfolio company of Edgewater Growth Capital Partners IV, has acquired Bag Pack, Inc., a custom converter of polyethylene bags, mailers, pouches and specialty flexible packaging products. The deal is an add-on to Flex Pack’s platform to expand manufacturing capabilities and capabilities in flexible packaging as the platform pursues additional acquisitions.

Foam Holdings Inc., a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, has acquired Fabricated Packaging Materials, Inc. (FPM), a Lancaster, Ohio-based manufacturer of block molded expanded polystyrene (EPS). The acquisition is an add-on to Foam Holdings' materials solutions platform intended to extend its footprint in core end-markets and enhance its EPS manufacturing and packaging capabilities.

All4Labels Global Packaging Group, a Triton Fund V portfolio company, has acquired European online packaging players Labelprint24 and Packaging Warehouse. The add-on deal brings digital printing, automated production and e‑commerce distribution capabilities into the All4Labels platform; founder Stefan Harder will remain invested and continue to run the business.

American Securities has made a strategic investment in r-pac International to support the company's continued growth and global expansion. r-pac, a New York–based designer and manufacturer of branded packaging, trims, RFID-enabled tags and supply-chain sensor technologies, will leverage the capital and resources from American Securities to accelerate market expansion and product/technology initiatives.

Cincinnati-based ProAmpac, a Pritzker Private Capital-backed flexible packaging company, has acquired Ireland-based Irish Flexible Packaging and Fispak from parent IFP Investments Limited. The acquisitions expand ProAmpac’s sustainable flexible and paper-based food packaging capabilities and advance its European and United Kingdom expansion strategy.

ProMach has acquired CL&D Graphics and CL&D Digital, adding flexographic and digital web packaging and converting capabilities to its portfolio. The acquisition brings CL&D’s four locations and more than 280 employees (headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin) into ProMach to expand its flexible packaging offerings and provide combined machinery-and-material solutions to CPG customers across North America.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) agreed to acquire Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) from Platinum Equity and Fort Dearborn Company from Advent International and combine the two businesses into a single global label solutions platform. The combined company will serve consumer packaged goods customers across Food & Beverage, Home & Personal Care, Wine & Spirits and other specialty end markets, creating roughly $3 billion in annual revenue and expanded global scale.

Premium Label & Packaging Solutions (a portfolio company of Dunes Point Capital) has acquired Luminer Converting Group, a converter of pressure-sensitive and booklet labels with manufacturing facilities in Lakewood, New Jersey and Red Lion, Pennsylvania. The acquisition is an add-on to PLPS to expand its label converting and manufacturing capabilities across pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetics/beauty and other end markets.

Frankston Packaging, a KLH Capital–backed packaging manufacturer based in Frankston, Texas, has acquired Custom Printed Products, a Bossier City, Louisiana maker of flexible packaging and specialty labels. The deal expands Frankston's product offering, adds capacity, and opens new end markets including food & ingredient, lubricant, and chemical customers across North America.

Novvia Group, a Kelso-backed packaging platform, has acquired Fox Valley Containers, a Crystal Lake, Illinois-based distributor of plastic, metal, corrugated, and glass rigid packaging products. The deal expands Novvia's national distribution footprint and capabilities in the Upper Midwest; financial terms were not disclosed and the existing Fox Valley management team will remain in place.

The Cary Company, a privately owned supplier of containers and facility products based in Addison, Illinois, has acquired Containers Unlimited, a family-owned industrial container distributor and reconditioner headquartered in Hayward, California. The acquisition expands The Cary Company's West Coast footprint and adds reconditioning capabilities with Containers Unlimited's multiple California locations.

C-P Flexible Packaging, a portfolio company of First Atlantic Capital, has acquired Sycamore Sales, Inc. d.b.a. Preferred Packaging, a Norcross, Georgia-based manufacturer of multilayer flexible films, thermoformed containers and tray-sealing equipment. The add-on expands C-P's capabilities in refrigerated and frozen meal packaging, broadens its geographic footprint in the U.S. Southeast, and adds new manufacturing technologies; terms were not disclosed.

The Kennedy Group (Willoughby, Ohio) has acquired Color Label, Inc., a St. Louis-based supplier of pressure-sensitive labels serving agricultural and consumer product industries. The deal expands The Kennedy Group’s national footprint into the St. Louis market, shifts production to its Cleveland-area facility while retaining key St. Louis personnel to ensure continuity, and was advised by Graphic Arts Advisors (GAA).

Harvest Partners, along with Fortis management, has acquired Fortis Solutions Group from Main Post Partners. Fortis, a Virginia Beach–based specialty packaging and label converter with over 950 employees across 15 sites, will continue to be led by founder and CEO John Wynne and will pursue organic growth and tuck-in acquisitions with Harvest's support.

Placon acquired substantially all operating equipment of a former Sonoco thermoforming packaging operation in Wilson, North Carolina and will hire more than 80 employees at the 112,000 sq. ft. site. The move immediately expands Placon's production capacity and Southeast footprint to serve growing demand from retail, food and medical customers.

Fortis Solutions Group LLC, a portfolio company of Main Post Partners, has acquired Quality Tape and Label Co., Inc., a Marietta, Georgia-based provider of digital shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and pressure-sensitive labels. Rob Daniels will remain in a leadership role at QTL as Fortis expands its digital printing and packaging capabilities across its platform.

Resource Label Group, a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation, has acquired StickerGiant.com, Inc., a Longmont, Colorado-based e-commerce custom sticker and label manufacturer. Terms were not disclosed; StickerGiant will continue to operate under its brand with manufacturing remaining in Longmont as an add-on to Resource Label's label and packaging platform to expand digital short-run and e-commerce capabilities.

Rainier Partners-backed Calpine Containers has acquired JS Ag Packaging, a Bakersfield, California-based provider of packaging distribution, labeling, and design services for agricultural customers. The acquisition creates a larger West Coast agricultural packaging distributor, adds product and service capabilities, and enables cross-selling and geographic expansion; JS Ag founder Jeff Smith will join Calpine to oversee inner packaging sales.

Altor Solutions, a Compass Diversified (CODI)-backed designer and manufacturer of protective packaging, has acquired Plymouth Foam, a manufacturer of protective and cold-chain packaging, for an enterprise value of $56 million. The acquisition expands Altor's geographic footprint and capabilities—adding two manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, Wisconsin and Gnadenhutten, Ohio—and broadens its end-market exposure to food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, RV and construction customers.

Silgan Holdings Inc. acquired Easytech Closures S.p.A., a Europe-based manufacturer of easy-open and sanitary metal ends, for a purchase price of €31.5 million. Easytech was projected to generate approximately €38 million in sales and €6.6 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2021; Silgan expects roughly €4.1 million of annual synergies and funded the acquisition with revolving loan borrowings under its senior secured credit facility.

ARMOR USA, Inc. has acquired the industrial segment of International Imaging Materials, Inc. (IIMAK) from ACON Investments; financial terms were not disclosed. ACON will retain ownership of IIMAK's medical contract manufacturing business (iiMED Medical Solutions), while ARMOR expands its thermal transfer ribbon and printing consumables footprint.

Omaha-based packaging manufacturer Airlite Plastics has acquired California-based Cosmetic Specialties International (CSI), a U.S. manufacturer of cosmetic containers for the beauty and skincare industries. Bridgepoint Investment Banking served as Airlite's sole buy-side M&A advisor; the deal gives Airlite a West Coast footprint and entry into the cosmetics packaging market.

Rohrer Corporation has acquired Coburn Carton Solutions, a printer and folding-carton converter based in Hayesville and Ashland, Ohio. The add-on expands Rohrer's paperboard packaging and printed folding carton capabilities and is being completed by Rohrer while it is a portfolio company of Wellspring Capital Management.

Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of foodservice packaging and janitorial supplies, has acquired Cincinnati-based Mailender, a nearly 90-year-old distributor of janitorial supplies and packaging. Financial terms were not disclosed; the deal represents Imperial Dade's 42nd acquisition and strengthens its Midwest presence and access to the Cincinnati market.

TekniPlex has acquired Keyes Packaging Group from Arbor Investments to strengthen its food & beverage packaging capabilities, adding molded fiber trays and specialty protective wraps to its product portfolio. Keyes Packaging Group — comprising Keyes Fibre (Wenatchee, WA) and Wrap Pack (Yakima, WA) — will operate within TekniPlex's Consumer Products division to expand sustainable packaging solutions for produce and other food customers.

Resource Label Group, a Franklin, Tennessee-based label manufacturer and portfolio company of Ares Management, has acquired Ample Labels of Nixa, Missouri. The add-on expands Resource Label's North American footprint to 21 manufacturing locations and adds digital and flexographic printing capabilities serving food, health, personal care, industrial, pharmaceutical and beverage customers.

Boyne Capital (through an affiliate) has partnered with management to acquire A&A Global Imports, Inc., a supplier of child-resistant and regulated packaging and ancillary products to the medical and recreational cannabis industry. The investment is a platform investment from Boyne’s BCM Fund II to support A&A’s organic growth and pursue expansion via acquisitions and strategic initiatives.

Pretium Packaging, a Clearlake Capital-backed packaging platform, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Alpha Packaging from Irving Place Capital. The transaction expands Pretium's scale, product depth and geographic footprint while reinforcing a shared focus on sustainable packaging solutions; financial terms were not disclosed.

Clearlake Capital Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Mold-Rite Plastics from Irving Place Capital. Mold-Rite, headquartered in Plattsburgh, New York, manufactures plastic closures, jars and child‑resistant dispensing solutions for healthcare, wellness, specialty food and personal care markets; financial terms were not disclosed. Clearlake called this a new platform investment to expand in healthcare and wellness packaging and to pursue organic growth and strategic add‑on acquisitions in the fragmented sector.

H.I.G. Capital has completed the acquisition of Jackson Paper Manufacturing and Sustainable Corrugated (JPM). JPM, headquartered in Sylva, North Carolina, is a vertically integrated manufacturer of 100% recycled corrugated packaging operating four facilities and employing more than 200 people; H.I.G. will partner with management to accelerate the company's growth and expand its sustainable packaging capabilities.

GenNx360 Capital Partners’ portfolio company B2B Industrial Packaging has acquired Direct In Supply, a packaging, industrial and janitorial supplies distributor headquartered in Oregon, Illinois. The deal is an add-on to B2B’s platform to broaden its product offering and customer reach as part of GenNx360’s roll-up strategy since its 2020 investment in the platform.

C-P Flexible Packaging, a portfolio company of First Atlantic Capital, acquired Fruth Custom Packaging, Inc. and affiliated Cleanroom Film and Bag, Inc., both based in Placentia, California. The deal expands C-P's West Coast footprint and adds cleanroom-capable flexible packaging capabilities for medical device, biopharmaceutical, electronics and semiconductor customers. Terms were not disclosed.