Business Management - M&A

ATLANTA, Ga.—Printpack Inc., a flexible packaging and specialty rigid container manufacturer, announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase Seal-it, Inc., a recognized leader in the U.S. packaging market of sleeved and flat heat-shrink PVC, PLA, PET-G and OPS films. The terms of the transaction were not announced. Dennis M. Love, president of Printpack Inc., said, “Seal-it is an ideal addition to Printpack. It brings us new and important market relationships, and the company has a proven record of delivering superior products and service to its customers. This transaction strengthens our strategic commitment to expanding our offerings of value-added flexible packaging.” According

CHICAGO, Ill. and AUSTIN, Texas—Pliant Corporation, a supplier of value-added films and packaging solutions, and NovaCentrix, a nanotechnology products company with focus on printable electronics, energetics, and life sciences, announced a strategic alliance to create and commercialize technology solutions for performance and packaging needs. The alliance will allow both companies to drive new growth opportunities and deliver unique value propositions to the industry. Engaging at the product development level and combining NovaCentrix’s world-class nanoparticle-based inks and coatings with Pliant’s high-performance films will enable the alliance to accelerate the availability of commercially viable solutions leveraging nanotechnology performance. “Pliant’s commitment to continuous innovation to offer customers unique

FOSTER CITY, Calif.—EFI announced it has signed an agreement to acquire privately held Jetrion LLC, a subsidiary of Flint Group Incorporated, for approximately $40 million in cash. Jetrion is a supplier of inkjet printers, inks, and custom-printing systems for the label and packaging industries. EFI expects the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to certain closing conditions. “Jetrion’s advanced technology and very talented team are great additions to our inkjet business and are a key element in fulfilling our strategy to expand our presence in the industrial inkjet market,” said Guy Gecht, EFI CEO. “We are especially impressed with Jetrion’s

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.­—Edelmann Graphics, a German narrow-web press manufacturer, has announced its move into the flexible packaging and label sector with the sale of an EVO-Print web press. Matik North America is the exclusive distributor of Edelmann Graphics equipment for the North American marketplace. The EVO-Print is specified as a “hybrid” machine, and will be equipped with a Martin Splicer, six litho towers, flexo unit, preparation for retrofit of gravure units, cold foiling, delam/relam station, diecutting, and rewind. An Interdeck UV System from Print Concept will provide drying. The EVO-Print is an open-platform press that offers a web width of 485 mm (19˝) with a

ELK GROVE, Ill.-Private equity firm Genstar Capital, LLC announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fort Dearborn Company, a provider of decorative labels to the consumer goods industry. Fort Dearborn management, along with many of the current shareholders, will also participate in the company’s new ownership. As part of the transaction, Fort Dearborn’s current chief operating officer, Michael Anderson, will assume the role of president and chief executive officer. Richard Adler, Jr., the company’s current president and chief executive officer will maintain a position on Fort Dearborn’s Board of Directors and will serve as an advisor to the company. “I truly believe

WILLOWBROOK, Ill.-Loparex Grouphas announced that it has acquired the Douglas-Hanson Company of Hammond, Wis. Douglas-Hanson, established in 1973, manufactures silicone-coated release papers and films, and extrudes polycoated papers for the packaging industry. The Douglas-Hanson facility will operate under the name Loparex Inc. whose headquarters are in Willowbrook, Ill. According to Penti Kallio, President and CEO of Loparex Group, “As a result of this acquisition, two successful release liner companies with distinct capabilities and expertise will blend together to become an even stronger supplier in the manufacture and delivery of release liner products. This merger will enable Loparex to more effectively meet the continuing challenges of

A newly created company, Apollo Sheeters Ltd., has acquired Bobst Group’s sheeting machinery business, which was previously operated as Atlas Converting Equipment, with the Apollo trade name. Apollo Sheeters Ltd. will continue production at the same location, which is adjacent to Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd, under the management of Michael Wilkinson. Wilkinson has been in the sheeting machine business for forty years. The entire staff of the new company was previously working in the Apollo sheeter business. The acquisition of the Apollo sheeter business and the transfer of the responsibility for both existing and future customers have been agreed by Bobst Group and Apollo in such

DUNCANSVILLE, Pa.– Aquaflex announces a partnership with Jetrion, the Michigan-based manufacturer of industrial inkjet products and services. Under this agreement, the two companies will co-design mounts and other critical components to optimize Jetrion’s industry-leading 3025 printing system for use on Aquaflex’s comprehensive line of flexo presses, including the new ELS Servo press. The partnership will leverage both companies’ individual strengths to deliver in-line inkjet solutions to the narrow web label marketplace. Jetrion brings to the agreement a solid reputation as an industry-leading provider of inkjet solutions specifically designed for flexo presses. Aquaflex brings its strong user base, sales and service infrastructure, and a

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The acquisition of U.S.-based Flint Ink Corporation by German-based XSYS Print Solutions was completed on 30 September 2005. The transaction closed following the August approval of the acquisition and subsequent merger by regulatory authorities in Europe and the U.S. The merger will lead to creation of a stronger, global supplier to the graphics and packaging industries with revenues of about $2.6 billion/€ 2.1 billion (based on 2004 results). The new entity will have approximately 8,000 employees in 160 sites in 35 countries, and will rank as the number one or number two supplier in every major region it serves. XSYS Print Solutions

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—American-owned Flint Ink Corporation of Ann Arbor, MI, and XSYS Print Solutions, based in Stuttgart, Germany, have agreed to merge. The merged group will rank among the largest ink companies in every region it serves, with an employee base of 8,000 and combined revenues of approximately US $ 2.6 billion, based on 2004 figures. Flint Ink is the largest privately-owned ink manufacturer in the world. XSYS Print Solutions was formed by the merger of BASF Printing Systems and ANI Printing Inks following their respective acquisitions at the end of 2004 by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners, a leading independent private equity