MSCP Acquires Fisher Container

Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (MSCP) has acquired Fisher Container, a maker of flexible plastic pouches, bags and films. MSCP is partnering with plastics and packaging executive, Kevin Keneally, and the current Fisher management team to acquire the company.

Fisher’s products include shrink packaging, printed rollstock, specialty bags, barrier pouches, industrial bags, and child proof packaging that are used in cleanroom, food and industrial applications. The company is a third generation family business, founded by Don Fisher in 1969. Fisher Container is based in the Chicago suburb of Buffalo Grove (www.fishercontainer.com).

“I am very proud of our family business and have taken great care to find the best partner to take it forward. I have come to know the MSCP team well and am confident that they bring the skills, capabilities, and approach necessary to build and expand on our success,” said Mr. Fischer. Mr. Keneally will become Chief Executive Officer as part of the transaction and will replace Mr. Fisher, who will be retiring.

Mr. Keneally was the CEO of plastic film maker – and Huron Capital owned – Optimum Plastics beginning in June 2012 until the sale of the company in December 2015 to Charter NEX, a blown and cast film extrusion company and a portfolio company of Pamplona Capital Management. Most recently he has been an operating partner with Huron Capital.

“MSCP’s investment in Fisher is the culmination of a multi-year review of the packaging sector, and we believe the company is primed for outsized growth,” said Mark Bye, Managing Director and Operating Partner of MSCP. “We look forward to supporting the management team as they work to further strengthen Fisher’s offerings through improved commercial strategies and operations.”

Morgan Stanley Capital Partners is the middle-market focused private equity business of Morgan Stanley Investment Management which in turn is part Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), a financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services (www.morganstanley.com).

© 2017 Private Equity Professional | February 7, 2017