Five Leading Packaging Companies Combining To Create The World's Sixth-Largest Global Plastics Packaging Company

CHICAGO, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Five leading packaging companies in North America and Europe today announced they intend to combine in order to operate as one global leader under the banner of Exopack Holdings Sarl, a new Luxembourg company ("the Combined Company").   The combined business will have 63 plants, 8,650 employees and aggregate revenues of more than US$2.5B, making it the sixth-largest plastics packaging company in the world.

Joining Exopack, a U.S.-based producer of flexible paper and plastic packaging, and advanced coatings, will be four leading companies based in Europe – Britton Group, a flexible plastic packaging manufacturer; PACCOR, the second-largest rigid plastic packaging company in Europe; Kobusch, a producer of tailor-made flexible and rigid packaging systems; and Paragon Print & Packaging, a leader in private label packaging solutions in the UK.

All five packaging companies are affiliated portfolio companies of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.  The brand names of the five businesses would remain in use by the Combined Company.

The Combined Company is to be led by a strong management team with more than 100 years of experience in the packaging industry.  Jack Knott will serve in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer.  Mike Alger will serve in the capacity of the Company's Chief Financial Officer; Dieter Bergner will be CEO of PACCOR (Global Rigid business); and Michael Cronin joins the team as CEO of the Global Flexibles business.

"This combination represents a natural next step in a process that began eight years ago to create a global packaging company with a solid foundation for future growth," said Marc Leder, co-CEO of Sun Capital Partners.  "Building on past collaborations between the companies, the combination will immediately achieve synergies and allow the Combined Company to more effectively pursue global business."

"By joining together to form this new entity, we will be better able to serve the needs of our global customers through a manufacturing base spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East and China that enhances our ability to deliver outstanding service," said Jack Knott.  "The larger scale will enable us to accelerate the development and commercialization of new and differentiated products that offer our customers a competitive advantage." 

The Combined Company's expanded footprint means the company will be well positioned to supply diverse end markets, and unlock additional growth opportunities.  Additionally, the Combined Company will have a more robust, diverse and complementary product portfolio.

"All five companies have achieved success by introducing market led innovations," said Michael Cronin.  "We strongly believe that this combination will increase that capability by aligning the organization with how customers want to be served today and by working more closely and strategically as one."

"This combination will enable us to invest more efficiently in the new technologies that will deliver the best packaging solutions to our customers," added Dieter Bergner, who had served as CEO of PACCOR since 2010.  "This is vitally important in order to present their products in the most effective and appealing way to drive sales."

The combination is subject to certain notice and contractual restrictions, and in particular requires the consent of certain lenders to the packaging companies. It is anticipated that all required consents will be obtained within two weeks.

About Exopack Holdings Sarl

After completion of the combination, the Combined Company will be the sixth largest global plastic packaging company in the world.  Formed by the combination of Exopack, Britton Group, Kobusch, PACCOR and Paragon Print & Packaging, the Combined Company will be an established leader in the development, manufacture, and sourcing of rigid and flexible plastic packaging, as well as coatings solutions for various consumer and industrial end-use markets.  With aggregate revenues of more than US$2.5B, the Combined Company will manage 63 plants across North America, Europe, the Middle East and China and will be an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in 320 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $45 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.

SOURCE Exopack Holdings Sarl