WS Packaging Group Acquires Label World

GREEN BAY, WI—January 4, 2013—WS Packaging Group has acquired Label World, a full-service printer located in Rochester, NY, specializing in labels and flexible packaging printing.

"Label World has built its business with an ongoing commitment to the highest standards of customer service, helping its customers succeed by delivering labeling and packaging solutions for brand owners," said Rex Lane, CEO of WS Packaging. "The company leverages the problems and challenges of a competitive marketplace and turns them into opportunities.

"From delivering outstanding print quality to engaging in ongoing improvements in its operations, Label World has an established lean culture that's enabled it to become a market innovator in terms of quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness," Lane added. "And it's a driving force that has helped Label World to be named among the Best Workplace in the Americas from 2006 to 2012 by Printing Industries of America."

Pressure-sensitive labels are the core business for Label World. The company also provides a complete range of custom label solutions beyond basic and prime labels, including tags and inserts, point of purchase, extended content labels, plow-folds, and pouches and packets. Additional capabilities include specialty material stocks, varnishes and stamping for premium effects, direct thermal paper and tags, and thermal transfer paper and films.

"All of us at Label World are extremely excited to become part of WS Packaging Group because of our likeminded commitment to our customers' success," said John McDermott, president and CEO, Label World. "And now, having the opportunity to solve customer problems and challenges with a much broader scope of product and service capabilities creates an even stronger position for success."

Label World was founded in 1985 by Bob and Janet Allardice. Its growth has been fueled by investments in capabilities to produce prime labels for the specialized needs of brand owners in the health and beauty, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, wine, and specialty beverage markets.

The company has a longstanding commitment to sustainability within its operations and the supply chain by becoming a zero landfill company and earning L.I.F.E. certification by the Tag and Label Manufacturer's Institute (TLMI). In addition, TLMI awarded Label World its Environmental Leadership Award in 2011.

About WS Packaging Group
WS Packaging Group, with more than 45 years of experience, is one of the largest printing and label converting operations in North America. It operates 21 manufacturing facilities and produces high-quality packaging products. Its customers range in size from small businesses to large, high-volume manufacturers and consumer product goods companies doing business locally, nationally, and in marketplaces worldwide. WS Packaging Group is majority owned by J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. (JWC), a private equity firm based in Boston, investing in middle-market growth companies. Since 1995, JWC has invested in over 40 companies with a transaction value of more than $12 billion.

Source: WS packaging.