Packaging Acquisitions in Missouri

Georgia-Pacific has completed the acquisition of Anchor Packaging from the company's investors, including TJC, L.P.; financial terms were not disclosed. Anchor Packaging — a St. Louis–headquartered thermoformer operating four manufacturing facilities and two warehouses with ~1,250 employees — will become a wholly owned subsidiary to expand Georgia-Pacific's consumer products and foodservice packaging capabilities.

Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) has acquired Starport Technologies, an RFID-centric smart labels and RFID tag manufacturer based in Kansas City, Missouri. The deal expands MCC’s RFID and smart-label capabilities and creates a new smart packaging solutions business unit; financial terms were not disclosed.

Green Bay Packaging Inc. has acquired SMC Packaging Group, a Springfield, Missouri-based producer of custom corrugated boxes, displays and packaging materials. The purchase expands Green Bay Packaging's geographic reach into Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma and brings SMC into GBP's vertically integrated packaging platform.

Container Services, Inc. (CSI), backed by Shore Capital Partners, has acquired Apex Plastics and launched the FirmaPak platform. The combined platform will be led by CEO Rob Goldberg and brings together manufacturing sites in Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Missouri to expand packaging capabilities across beverage, household, and automotive end markets.

Center Rock Capital Partners has made a platform investment in MAI Holdings, Inc. (Mark Andy), a leading provider of label and packaging printing equipment, consumable supplies, and aftermarket parts and services. The Desai family remains as existing equity holders and the investment will support growth across end markets including consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage.

Hub Plastics has acquired Midwest Container and Industrial Supply Company, a St. Louis–area manufacturer of rigid plastic bottles, as owner Kent Meentemeyer transitions to retirement. Terms were not disclosed; Midwest Container will be rebranded as Hub Plastics - Midwest, and Sikich Investment Banking served as exclusive sell-side adviser.

OMNI Systems, a Cleveland-based thermal label printer, has acquired ITW Labels from Illinois Tool Works. The acquisition expands OMNI’s geographic footprint and printing capabilities by adding ITW Labels’ operations in St. Charles, Missouri; Gardner, Kansas; and Bogart, Georgia, while preserving local plants and employees.

AmerCareRoyal (backed by HCI Equity Partners) has acquired Team Three Group in its eighth add-on acquisition since HCI's initial investment. The deal expands AmerCareRoyal's product categories and geographic footprint—adding distribution capacity in the Midwest and California—and brings Team Three founder Bob Hubbard onto the ACR executive team.

GenNx360 Capital Partners' portfolio company B2B Industrial Packaging has acquired Tri Pro Graphics and Packaging, a St. Louis-based distributor of packaging materials, equipment, and printing solutions. The deal is an add-on to B2B's platform, expanding its capabilities and geographic footprint in the Midwest.

Decowraps has completed the acquisition of Flopak USA, adding Flopak's pre-formed pot covers and floral delivery systems to its product offering. The deal, completed after Decowraps partnered with Palladin Consumer Retail Partners in 2020, expands Decowraps' production and distribution footprint (adding St. Louis distribution and Vietnam production) and strengthens its supply chain for the floral industry.

Vidya Brands Group completed the acquisition of the business of Dedicated Converting Group (DCG) in March 2022; terms were not disclosed. The deal expands Vidya’s packaging and converting capabilities by adding DCG’s coverboard, laminating and finishing services for publishing, packaging and ready-to-assemble furniture customers across the United States.

Prime Label KC, a Belton, Missouri-based manufacturer of custom pressure-sensitive labels, was sold to private investor Todd McCullough in a transaction that closed January 31, 2022. Generational Equity advised the seller (led by Keith Howard), and McCullough becomes owner and president as the company continues serving pharma/healthcare, food & beverage, retail/packaging and industrial customers across the U.S.

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).

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.

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.

Kelso & Company and affiliated funds acquired a majority interest in C.L. Smith Company, a distributor and manufacturer of rigid packaging solutions, and will combine it with Kelso's existing portfolio company Inmark. The deal expands Inmark/Novvia's rigid container, blow molding and hazardous-materials packaging capabilities; financial terms were not disclosed.

Funds managed by Ares Management's Private Equity Group and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board have agreed to acquire a majority interest in TricorBraun from AEA Investors. Management will remain in place and retain a meaningful investment while AEA will retain a minority stake; the deal supports TricorBraun's next phase of growth through organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions.

Clearlake Capital Group, in partnership with Pretium management, has acquired Pretium Packaging from Genstar Capital. Pretium is a leading North American designer and manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging (containers, bottles, closures) headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, with a national footprint of 19 facilities; financial terms were not disclosed. Clearlake intends to operate Pretium as a buy-and-build platform to drive organic growth and pursue add-on acquisitions.

Dunes Point Capital has acquired a controlling interest in Vanguard Packaging, which includes Vanguard Packaging, Inc., Advanced Logistics & Fulfillment, LLC, and Great Plains Packaging, Inc. Vanguard is a Kansas City–based designer and manufacturer of high-graphic corrugated displays, retail-ready and industrial packaging, and provides related assembly, logistics and fulfillment services; the company employs approximately 200 people. Debt financing for the transaction was provided by Twin Brook Capital Partners and Churchill Asset Management.