Coating Excellence International Partners with Mason Wells

WRIGHTSTOWN, Wis.—Coating Excellence International (CEI), the Wisconsin-based flexible packaging company specializing in extrusion coating, laminating, printing and woven bags, announced a new partnership with Midwest-based private equity firm Mason Wells. Mason Wells, along with Coating Excellence management and other co-investors, acquired the equity of the Company from CEI’s existing shareholders.

“Mason Wells is pleased to be partnering with CEI’s management team to support the Company’s growth initiatives. Coating Excellence’s skilled workforce, state-of-the-art equipment and experienced management team are all factors that have allowed the company to consistently meet the expectations of its customers,” said Tom Smith, Senior Managing Director of Mason Wells. We believe the company is extremely well positioned to capitalize on a number of growth markets in the flexible packaging industry.” Since the mid-1980s, Mason Wells has invested in numerous Midwest-based companies in the specialty packaging and paper industry.

“We are very excited about our new partnership with Mason Wells,” said Michael Nowak, President and CEO of Coating Excellence. “Their experience from years of successfully building specialty packaging companies will provide CEI with the resources necessary to support our long-term growth initiatives. With Mason Wells’ strong financial backing and network of resources, we look forward to continuing to serve our customers with innovative, quality flexible packaging solutions.”

Senior financing for the transaction was provided by M&I Bank, Associated Bank, MB Financial, US Bank and Zions Bank. Mezzanine financing was provided by Prudential Capital Partners. Quarles and Brady LLP served as legal counsel to Mason Wells.