labels

Snow Phipps Closes Third Label Add-On

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Brook & Whittle, a label making portfolio company of Snow Phipps, has acquired Label Impressions. Snow Phipps acquired Brook & Whittle in October 2017 from RFE Investment Partners and Charter Oak Equity.

Label Impressions is a producer of labels used in the household and personal care, beverage, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, food, and cannabis markets. The company’s products include flexographic labels, foil stamped labels, screen printed labels, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified labels, biodegradable labels, hangtags, pouches, sachets, and packets.

Label Impressions was founded in 1988 by Ted Salisbury and has been led by his son, Jeff Salisbury (the company’s sole owner), since 2005. Jeff Salisbury will join the Brook & Whittle team and continue to be a shareholder. “We have a strong history of consistent quality, technical expertise and innovation,” said Mr. Salisbury. “This partnership will further enhance our value proposition to customers, and we are excited to bring our insights to the Brook & Whittle team.”

“Jeff has driven remarkable growth at Label Impressions over the last 15 years, and we are extremely excited for him to join our team. He will be a strong asset in continuing our successful innovation strategies, and I look forward to working with him in further expanding our offerings to better serve our customers,” said Mark Pollard, CEO of Brook & Whittle.

Brook & Whittle is a provider of pressure-sensitive labels, shrink labels and medical packaging. The company’s capabilities include UV flexographic, rotogravure and digital label making. The company, founded in 1996, is headquartered in North Branford, Connecticut and operates seven production facilities in Connecticut (2), New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Tennessee and, with the buy of Label Impressions, California.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Label Impressions and are enthusiastic about our future together,” said Don Sturdivant, the chairman of Brook & Whittle and an operating partner at Snow Phipps.  “Label Impressions’ California facility will allow us to more effectively serve and manage our growing customer base.”

The buy of Label Impressions is the third add-on acquisition by Brook & Whittle under Snow Phipps’ ownership. The two earlier buys were Prime Package & Label in November 2018 and the buy of a label converting facility in Croydon, Pennsylvania in May 2020.

New York City-based Snow Phipps makes control investments in companies primarily located in North America with enterprise values ranging from $100 million to $500 million that require equity investments ranging from $50 million to $150 million. Sectors of interest include industrials, services, and consumer. The firm was co-founded by Ian Snow and Ogden Phipps in April 2005.

Private Equity Professional | June 19, 2020

Platinum Building Label Giant

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Publicly-traded Multi-Color Corporation (NASDAQ: LABL) has agreed to be acquired by Platinum Equity at an enterprise value of $2.5 billion. The valuation multiple for this transaction is shown below.

Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) is one of the largest label companies in the world. The company’s labels are used by a range of national and international brands in the home and personal care, wine and spirits, food and beverage, healthcare and specialty consumer sectors. MCC has more than 8,400 employees, 71 label producing operations in 26 countries, and is headquartered in Cincinnati (www.mcclabel.com).For the 12 months ending December 31, 2018, MCC had revenues of $1.7 billion and EBITDA of $272 million. At an enterprise value of $2.5 billion this results in an EBITDA valuation multiple of 9.2x.

“Multi-Color Corporation is an industry leader, with a talented and dedicated team and a reputation for innovative label solutions and best-in-class service,” said Louis Samson, a partner at Platinum Equity. “We have tremendous respect for Multi-Color Corporation, and believe that its capabilities and established position in the industry, when combined with our portfolio company WS Packaging Group, operational expertise and financial resources, will enable Multi-Color Corporation and WS Packaging Group to strengthen the value proposition for their customers.”

In February 2018, Platinum acquired WS Packaging Group, one of the largest domestic pressure sensitive label manufacturers, from J.W. Childs. WS Packaging’s products are used by more than 10,000 customers in the food, beverage, personal care, household, commercial, promotional, industrial, direct mail, and pharmaceutical markets. The company also manufactures complementary products such as label application equipment and provides services including commercial printing, foil stamping, and promotional packaging. WS Packaging operates 17 manufacturing facilities and is headquartered in Green Bay, WI (www.wspackaging.com).

The buy of MCC will be financed through a combination of equity from Platinum Capital Partners IV LP, a $6.5 billion buyout fund which closed in March 2017, and debt financing from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank.

Platinum Equity invests in a range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, and telecommunications. The firm has completed more than 250 acquisitions since its founding in 1995 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills (www.platinumequity.com).

Goldman Sachs & Co. is the financial advisor to Multi-Color Corporation.

Closing of this transaction is expected by the end of the third quarter.

© 2019 Private Equity Professional | February 26, 2019

Another Add-On for Resource Label

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Resource Label Group, a portfolio company of First Atlantic Capital and TPG Growth, has acquired Best Label Company. Resource Label was acquired by First Atlantic in April 2011 and TPG Growth invested in the company in May 2018.

Best Label is a maker of pressure sensitive, extended content and promotional labels used in the food, beverage, health and beauty, pharmaceutical, automotive, agricultural and chemical industries.

The company has facilities in Cerritos, CA (headquarters) and Union City, CA and considers itself to be one of the largest label manufacturers on the west coast (www.bestlabel.com).

Resource Label Group (RLG) is a manufacturer of pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC) products. The company’s labeling products are used by more than 6,000 customers in the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries. RLG has eighteen locations and more than 1,300 employees in the US and Canada. The company is headquartered in Franklin, TN (www.resourcelabel.com).

“I am honored that Best Label has joined the Resource Label Group team.  Best Label brings a group of talented individuals, a high level of product quality and innovative packaging solutions to our organization,” said Mike Apperson, President & CEO of Resource Label Group. “I look forward to working closely with the team to continue to serve our growing customer base across North America.”

“Best Label has an outstanding group of dedicated employees, diverse client base, and is a valued addition to Resource Label Group,” said Roberto Buaron, Chairman and CEO First Atlantic Capital. “We are pleased to continue to support Resource Label’s expansion.” Earlier this month, RLG acquired Spectrum Label, a Hayward, CA-based supplier of pressure sensitive labels used in the food, medical and pharmaceutical sectors (www.spectrumlabel.com).

Resource Label has grown both organically and through a series of 16 add-on acquisitions as follows: Mid South RFID (acquired September 2007) (Franklin, TN); Pamco Label (July 2011) (Chicago, IL); Fox Tag and Label (July 2011) (Providence, RI); Oxford Graphics (March 2014) (Boston, MA); The Label Company (October 2014) (Los Angeles, CA); A1 Label (December 2014) (Toronto, ON); Taylor Made Labels (October 2015) (Portland, OR); LithoFlexo Grafics (February 2016) (Salt Lake City, UT); Advanced Labels NW (November 2016) (Seattle, WA); RayPress Corporation (December 2016) (Birmingham, AL); Cellotape/Landmark Label ( March 2017)(Newark, CA); Gintzler International (March 2017) (Buffalo, NY and Liberty Hill, TX); Ingenious Packaging (July 2018) (Toronto, ON); Paragon Label (August 2018) (Petaluma, CA); Spectrum Label (November 2018) (Hayward, CA) and the latest add-on acquisition, Best Label.

First Atlantic invests in middle-market companies that are active in the plastics and packaging, food and beverage, consumer and industrial products, and business services sectors. Since its inception in 1989, First Atlantic has acquired 70 companies and consolidated them into 22 major platforms. The firm is based in New York (www.firstatlanticcapital.com).

TPG Growth is the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG which was founded in 1992 and makes investments throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.  Sectors of interest include industrials, retail, consumer, financial services, travel and entertainment, technology, media and communications, and healthcare. In December 2017, TPG Growth held a final closing of its fourth fund, TPG Growth IV LP, at its hard cap of $3.7 billion in commitments. The firm has offices in San Francisco, Fort Worth, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo (www.tpg.com) (www.tpggrowth.com).

© 2018 Private Equity Professional | November 16, 2018

Resource Labels Acquires Paragon Label

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Resource Label Group, a portfolio company of First Atlantic Capital and TPG Growth, has acquired Paragon Label, a supplier of labels to the premium wine segment.

Paragon Label specializes in printing high quality, pressure-sensitive labels for wineries based in the Sonoma and Napa counties of California. The company also provides labels to the food, health and beauty industry.

Paragon Label was founded in 1998 and is based in Petaluma, CA (www.paragonlabel.com).

“Continued leadership in the wine segment of the label industry is an important focus for Resource Label and we are confident that the acquisition of Paragon will help us meet that objective,” said Roberto Buaron, Chairman and CEO of First Atlantic Capital.

Resource Label is a manufacturer of pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC) products. The company’s labeling products are used by more than 6,000 customers in the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries. Resource Label has fifteen locations and has more than 1,150 employees in the US and Canada. The company, led by CEO Bob Simko, is headquartered in Franklin, TN (www.resourcelabel.com).

“We admire the strength of Paragon’s customer relationships and cutting-edge technology and look forward to supporting the company as it builds on that foundation for future success,” said Ransom Langford, a Partner at TPG Growth.

Resource Label was acquired by First Atlantic in April 2011 and TPG Growth invested in the company in May 2018. The company has grown both organically and through a series of 13 add-on acquisitions as follows: Mid South RFID (acquired September 2007) (Franklin, TN); Paragon Label (July 2011) (Chicago, IL); Fox Tag and Label (July 2011) (Providence, RI); Oxford Graphics (March 2014) (Boston, MA); The Label Company (October 2014) (Los Angeles, CA); A1 Label (December 2014) (Toronto, ON); Taylor Made Labels (October 2015) (Portland, OR); LithoFlexo Grafics (February 2016) (Salt Lake City, UT); Advanced Labels NW (November 2016) (Seattle, WA); RayPress Corporation (December 2016) (Birmingham, AL); Cellotape/Landmark Label ( March 2017)(Newark, CA); Gintzler International (March 2017) (Buffalo, NY and Liberty Hill, TX); and Ingenious Packaging (July 2018) (Toronto, ON).

“Paragon is strategically located in the heart of the California wine region, has a state-of-the-art facility and talented work force, and will be a tremendous addition to Resource Label,” said Emilio Pedroni, a Managing Director at First Atlantic Capital.

First Atlantic invests in middle-market companies that are active in the plastics and packaging, food and beverage, consumer and industrial products, and business services sectors. Since its inception in 1989, First Atlantic has acquired 70 companies and consolidated them into 22 major platforms. The firm is based in New York (www.firstatlanticcapital.com).

TPG Growth is the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG which was founded in 1992 and makes investments throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.  Sectors of interest include industrials, retail, consumer, financial services, travel and entertainment, technology, media and communications, and healthcare. In December 2017, TPG Growth held a final closing of its fourth fund, TPG Growth IV LP, at its hard cap of $3.7 billion in commitments. The firm has offices in San Francisco, Fort Worth, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo (www.tpg.com) (www.tpggrowth.com).

© 2018 Private Equity Professional | August 16, 2018

Main Post Adds to Labeling Platform

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Fortis Solutions Group, a portfolio company of Main Post Partners since December 2017, has acquired Lewis Label Products.

Lewis Label is a manufacturer of pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging products. The company’s customers are active in the food and beverage; automotive; wine and spirits; industrial and manufacturing; health and beauty; advertising and promotional; and nutraceuticals sectors.

Lewis Label, led by CEO Gib Lewis, was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX (www.lewislabel.com).

Fortis Solutions Group provides labeling and packaging – including pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels, booklet printing, variable data printing, multi-ply coupon printing and flexible packaging printing – to companies active in the consumer packaged goods sector. Fortis has manufacturing and sales offices in Ellington, CT; Fort Worth, TX; High Point, NC; Kansas City, MO; Memphis, TN; West Chester, OH; and Wixom, MI. The company, founded in 1979, has 400 employees and is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA (www.fortissolutionsgroup.com).

“We are extremely excited to acquire such a terrific company. Gib Lewis and his team have established themselves as one of the top converters in the Southwest,” said John Wynne, Fortis President and CEO. “Lewis Label increases our presence in the food and beverage end markets while also expanding Fortis into the nutraceutical sector. This acquisition bolsters our product offerings to include shrink sleeves and allows us to broaden our flexible packaging and pressure sensitive labeling capabilities.”

Main Post makes both control and non-control investments in middle market growth companies in the consumer, business services and industrial growth sectors. The firm was founded in April 2014 by managing partners Sean Honey and Jeffrey Mills, both former partners at Weston Presidio. In March 2016, the firm held a final above target closing of its inaugural fund, Main Post Growth Capital LP, with a total of $400 million in limited partner commitments, well in excess of its initial target of $250 million. Main Post is headquartered in San Francisco (www.mainpostpartners.com).

© 2018 Private Equity Professional | July 13, 2018

Advent to Buy Fort Dearborn from KRG

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Advent International has agreed to acquire Fort Dearborn Company, a supplier of labels used in the consumer goods industry, from KRG Capital Partners. Fort Dearborn’s management team will retain a minority stake in the company and continue to lead the business following the completion of the transaction.

Fort Dearborn, acquired by KRG through the firm’s fifth fund in August 2010, is a supplier of labels for the beverage, food, household products, paint and coatings, personal care, private label/retail and spirits markets. The company provides cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed and shrink-sleeve labels across multiple print technologies including digital, flexographic, offset lithographic and rotogravure. Fort Dearborn, led by CEO Jeff Brezek, is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove and has approximately 1,675 employees in fifteen production locations in the US and Canada (www.fortdearborn.com).

During KRG’s ownership, Fort Dearborn completed four add-on acquisitions: SleeveCo, a maker of shrink, stretch, and super-stretch sleeve labels was acquired in June 2016; Core Label, a maker of roll-fed labels used in the beverage market was acquired in June 2015; AC Label, a maker of labels for craft beer, liquor and food bottles was acquired in June 2013; and in March 2013 the paint & coating labels business of Fetter’s was acquired.

KRG Capital specializes in acquiring and recapitalizing unique and profitable middle-market companies that have from $10 million to $100 million or more of EBITDA.  Founded in 1996, KRG has $4.5 billion of capital under management and is based in Denver (www.krgcapital.com). The sale of Fort Dearborn is led by Chris Lane, a managing director at KRG, and represents the seventh exit for KRG’s Fund IV.

According to Advent, Fort Dearborn is the third-largest supplier of prime labels in North America. “Fort Dearborn is a leading player in the large, fragmented labels market with a differentiated culture and customer service model,” said Kevin Feinblum, a Managing Director at Advent. “The company has completed four acquisitions since 2013, and we believe it is well- positioned to add further capabilities to better serve its customers. We look forward to working with the company’s management team to pursue these growth opportunities.”

Advent International invests in companies active in business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecom. The firm is owned and operated by 45 partners and governed by a group of 14 managing partners. Advent has offices in 16 countries and employs 180 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Boston, Advent has $42 billion in assets under management and has completed more than 300 buyout and private equity transactions (www.adventinternational.com).

UBS Investment Bank is serving as financial advisor and Hogan Lovells is serving as legal advisor to Fort Dearborn on the transaction. Citigroup is serving as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis is serving as legal advisor to Advent.

© 2016 Private Equity Professional • 8-12-16

OneAccord Capital Acquires Graphic Label

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OneAccord Capital has purchased Graphic Label, a provider of custom labels used in the fruit and produce industries. This is the first acquisition by OneAccord Capital.

Graphic Label’s products are used for consumer packaging; stock labels; and tags for cases, pallets and bins. The company’s labels provide lot-code traceability and are used by fruit and produce growers/packers located in the Pacific Northwest and California. The company was founded in 1993 by Lyle and Shelley Von Essen and is based in Yakima, WA (www.graphiclabel.com). The Von Essens have invested alongside OneAccord Capital and remain as advisors to the company. At closing, OneAccord Capital hired Max Clough, the former president of the Thomas Kemper Soda Company, as Graphic Label’s new chief executive officer.

According to Jeff Rogers, a OneAccord Capital co-founder, the firm looks to acquire small, profitable companies owned by retirement-age entrepreneurs who want to extend their legacies while protecting their employees and local communities. “For years, researchers have pointed to a growing trend of baby boomer owners who are reaching retirement age and need to find the right transition path. The numbers are large: tens of thousands of businesses in the Pacific Northwest will change hands over the next several years. Yet the capital markets are not prepared and generally are not focused on this type of organization, which puts the companies, the employees and the local communities in jeopardy. OneAccord Capital’s mission is to help close the gap.”

OneAccord Capital looks to acquire companies with EBITDAs from $500,000 to $2 million that are located in the Pacific Northwest. Sectors of interest include manufacturing, distribution and services. The firm is headquartered near Seattle in Kirkland, WA (www.oneaccordcapital.com).

“We see the Monday after the Friday, the Day One after the close, both for the business owners and the business itself,” said Darin Leonard, a OneAccord Capital co-founder. “We understand these are extremely difficult decisions for successful business owners who have poured their lives into their companies and communities. Traditional capital sources generally don’t have time to embrace elements that are often much more important to business owners than just the transaction price. We have the perspective and know-how to navigate the complexity required for a successful transition, and to get the business itself to the next level.”

© 2016 Private Equity Professional • 8-5-16

Svoboda Adds-On to Label Platform

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Infinite Packaging Group, a portfolio company of Svoboda Capital Partners, has acquired Hyde Park Label Company from co-owners, Randy and Geri Wise.

Infinite Packaging Group (IPG) was formed in April 2015 when Svoboda Capital Partners rebranded the operations of M.E.I. Labels (acquired as a platform in December 2012) and TVC Label (acquired by M.E.I. in June 2013) as Infinite Packaging Group.

Hyde Park Label Company (HPL) is a maker of flexographic and digitally printed labels and decorative packaging. The company sells to companies active in the food and beverage, craft beer, wine and spirits, and health and beauty markets. The company is headquartered just north of Austin in Round Rock TX (www.hydeparklabel.com).

Infinite Packaging is a provider of packaging products, including pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, and pouches to companies operating in the food & beverage; health & beauty; wine, spirits & beer; nutraceutical; pet products; and consumer markets. IPG has three divisions – MEI Labels, TVC One, and TVC Labels and operates out of three production facilities; north of Dallas in Lewisville (headquarters), Tulsa, and Austin (www.infinitepkg.com).

“The HPL acquisition expands our geographic footprint and provides additional capacity. We remain committed to growing IPG through acquisitions and organic growth,” said Lynn Higgs, CEO of Infinite Packaging.

Svoboda Capital Partners invests from $10 million to $20 million in business services, value-added distribution, and consumer products companies that have revenues from $10 million to $100 million and EBITDAs from $3 million to $15 million. The firm was founded in 1998 and has over $300 million of capital under management.  Svoboda Capital is based in Chicago (www.svoco.com).

© 2016 Private Equity Professional • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-13-16

KRG Acquires Core Label

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Fort Dearborn Company, a diversified supplier of labels and a portfolio company of KRG Capital, has acquired Core Label, a supplier of roll-fed labels to the beverage market.

Core Label supplies billions of labels each year to the beverage market and has customers that include Coca-Cola and Nestle Waters.  The company has facilities in Tyrone, PA and Palm City, FL and has approximately 145 employees (www.corelabel.com).

Fort Dearborn, acquired by KRG in August 2010, is a supplier of labels for the beverage, food, household products, paint and coatings, personal care, private label/retail and spirits markets. The company provides cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed and shrink-sleeve labels across multiple print technologies including digital, flexographic, offset lithographic and rotogravure. Headquartered near Chicago in Elk Grove, IL, the company has twelve operating divisions in North America and approximately 1,400 employees (www.fortdearborn.com).

“The Core Label acquisition continues Fort Dearborn’s strategy to expand its product and service offerings to meet customers’ desires for a complete and innovative set of label options. We are excited to add the talented Core Label associates to the Fort Dearborn team,” said Chris Lane, Managing Director of KRG.

KRG Capital specializes in acquiring and recapitalizing unique and profitable middle-market companies that have from $10 million to $100 million or more of EBITDA.  Founded in 1996, KRG has $4.4 billion of capital under management and is based in Denver (www.krgcapital.com).

The acquisition of Core Label is the 223rd investment (46 platforms and 177 add-ons) that KRG has completed since its founding.

© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 6-25-15

Mason Wells Acquires Advanced Web Technologies

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Mason Wells has acquired Advanced Web Technologies. The current management team and a group of co-investors partnered with Mason Wells on this transaction.

Web Technologies (DBA AWT Labels & Packaging) is a narrow and wide-web converter of labels and flexible packaging for the healthcare, food and beverage, personal care, household, specialty and industrial/OEM markets.  Converting capabilities include pressure sensitive and digital labels, laminating multi-layer film structures, shrink sleeves and extended content labels.  The company is led by Jim Lundquist as its President and CEO, and has facilities in Minneapolis and South Elgin, IL (www.awtlabelpack.com).

Mason Wells intends to support AWT’s growth initiatives and will be investing in new and upgraded capacity to support the company’s growth plans.  “Mason Wells is pleased to be partnering with AWT’s management team to support the company’s growth initiatives,” said Jay Radtke, managing director of Mason Wells. “AWT has a 35 year history of providing high quality, technically challenging labels, particularly in the healthcare segment. We believe the company provides an excellent platform for growth and is well positioned to capitalize on a number of market and new product opportunities.”

Mason Wells makes investments in Midwest-based companies with revenues of $25 million to $300 million and EBITDAs of at least $5 million. Sectors of interest include consumer packaged goods, packaging materials & converting, outsourced business services, and engineered products & services.  The firm is currently investing through Mason Wells Buyout Fund III, a $525 million fund.  Mason Wells was founded in 1982 and is based in Milwaukee (www.masonwells.com).

Mason has been an active investor of late. Last month the firm made an investment in Cincinnati-based CE Power Solutions, a provider of engineering, testing, and maintenance services to utility power plants, alternative energy facilities, transmission & distribution substations, industrial facilities, and institutional facilities (www.cepower.net).

© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 6-22-15

Shore Points Sells Loftware to Riverside Partners

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Shore Points Capital has completed the sale of its investment in Loftware through a recapitalization of the company led by Riverside Partners. Shore Points acquired Loftware in January 2005.

Loftware is a labeling services provider that works with over 5,000 customers, across 25 major industries to meet their customer-specific, geographical and regulatory labeling requirements. The company’s software integrates SAP®, Oracle® and other enterprise applications to produce barcode labels, documents, and RFID Smart tags across the supply chain.  Loftware is headquartered in Portsmouth, NH with additional offices in the UK, Germany, and Singapore (www.loftware.com).

Shore Points was the lead investor in Loftware for over nine years, a period in which the company has become the leading international provider of enterprise level software for supply chain labeling applications.  Over the past few years, Loftware has logged accelerated global market penetration, record sales and profitability.

“Loftware has been a great investment for us, and we are proud of everything the company has accomplished under our watch,” said Ed Irwin, Managing Partner of Shore Points. “The management team, led by Bob O’Connor, has flawlessly executed its strategy and has positioned the company for continued growth and success. We are pleased that a group as accomplished as Riverside has recognized the value of Loftware and will be leading the company as it looks to even greater success in the future.”

Shore Points Capital makes equity investments in lower middle market businesses with enterprise values from $15 million to $75 million and EBITDAs of $2 million to $15 million. The firm has experience investing across a variety of industries, with a particular emphasis on business-to-business/enterprise software companies. Until 2006, the principals of Shore Points Capital operated as the North American private equity arm of BNP Paribas. The firm is based in New York (www.shorepointscapital.com).

“Loftware has been very fortunate to be majority-owned by Shore Points Capital for nearly ten years,” said Bob O’Connor, Loftware’s President and CEO. “Their leadership and steady guidance have been instrumental in the growth and transformation of Loftware into the market leader in the enterprise labeling space. The management team and other investors could not have asked for a more supportive financial sponsor.”

Shore Points and the other Loftware investors, including Greyrock Capital Group and Eric Anderson, were represented in the sale by the investment bank Signal Hill and the law firm of Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe in association with Bernstein Shur.

2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 7-31-14

Field Ventures Acquires Label Arts

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Field Ventures has acquired Label Arts, a provider of labels used in the medical industry.

Label Arts produces chemical resistant labels that are used in harsh laboratory environments. The company also provides its customers with a range of label products, from paper labels to value-added labels manufactured to comply with stringent medical industry standards. Label Arts was founded in 1975 and is based in Kemp, TX (www.labelarts.com).

Field Ventures was founded by packaging industry executive Larry Field, the former owner and CEO of Field Container Company, an integrated folding carton company, until its acquisition by Altivity Packaging in 2006. The firm is based in Northbrook, IL (www.fieldholdings.com).

Blaige & Company (www.blaige.com), a Chicago-based investment bank exclusively dedicated to the packaging, plastics and chemicals industries, advised Label Arts on the transaction.

“Blaige & Company research estimates that 52% of the top 50 U.S. label converters have merged or been sold since 2001 due to a long-term consolidation trend. Label converters with less than $250 million in sales are gradually losing market share to their stronger competitors and must consider aggressive M&A strategies, including strategic acquisitions and selective divestitures, in order to maintain a competitive position in a consolidating industry. Field Holdings will continue to focus on the future growth and success of Label Arts.”

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 10-9-13

Svoboda Capital Partners Acquires TVC Label

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MEI Labels, a portfolio company of Svoboda Capital Partners, has acquired the assets of TVC Label, Inc. and TVC One, Inc. (TVC). The management of TVC will continue to operate and own a significant portion of the business.

TVC is a manufacturer and provider of print, label and packaging products for customers in the health & beauty, consumer goods and pet care markets. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Lewisville, TX (www.tvcone.com).

MEI, acquired by Svoboda Capital in December 2012, is a provider of pressure sensitive label products, inserts, tags, banners, and other products, including silk screening and embroidery. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Catoosa, OK (www.meilabels.com).

“MEI is very excited about the prospect of partnering with TVC. TVC’s management team and their employees have built an impressive enterprise focused on client service and top quality products, aligning well with MEI’s philosophy,” said Lynn Higgs, MEI Labels’ CEO. “This strategic transaction will undoubtedly accelerate the company’s expansion into new products and new end markets.”

Svoboda Capital Partners has over $300 million of capital under management and invests from $10 million to $25 million in value-added distribution and business services companies that have revenues from $10 million to $100 million and EBITDAs from $3 million to $15 million. The firm was founded in 1998 and is based in Chicago (www.svoco.com).

“The combination of MEI and TVC is very compelling given their complementary attributes,” said Jeff Piper, Principal at Svoboda Capital Partners. “We look forward to continue working with the company to execute on its organic and acquisitive growth objectives.”

The Commercial Banking Group of Wintrust Financial Corporation provided senior debt to complete the transaction. The Investment Banking division of Mesirow Financial acted as the exclusive financial advisor to TVC.

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 7-31-13

KRG Capital Partners Acquires AC Label

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Fort Dearborn Company, a diversified supplier of labels and a portfolio company of KRG Capital Partners, has acquired AC Label, a maker of labels for craft beer, liquor and food bottles.

AC Label is a supplier of specialty cut & stack and pressure sensitive labels primarily for the beverage, nutraceutical and spirits markets. The company has 200 employees and three operating divisions in Louisville, KY; Provo, UT; and St Louis, MO (www.aclabel.com).

This is the second add-on acquisition completed by KRG since acquiring Fort Dearborn in August 2010. In March 2013, Fort Dearborn acquired FetterGroup’s paint & coating labels business, one of the largest label providers to the paint and coatings industry. The business is based in Louisville, KY.

Fort Dearborn is a supplier of high-impact decorative labels for the beverage, food, household products, paint and coatings, personal care, private label/retail and spirits markets. The company provides cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed and shrink sleeve labels across multiple print technologies including digital, flexographic, offset lithographic and rotogravure. Headquartered in Elk Grove, IL the company has ten operating divisions in North America and approximately 1,200 employees (www.fortdearborn.com).

KRG specializes in acquiring and recapitalizing unique and profitable middle-market companies. Since inception, KRG has invested in 45 platform companies and has completed 135 add-on acquisitions for those platforms. Founded in 1996, KRG has over $4 billion of capital under management and is based in Denver (www.krgcapital.com).

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 6-19-13

KRG Capital Acquires FetterGroup’s Paint & Coatings Label Business

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Fort Dearborn Company, a supplier of cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed and shrink sleeve labels, and a portfolio company of KRG Capital Partners, has completed the acquisition of FetterGroup’s paint & coating labels business.

KRG made its initial investment in Fort Dearborn Company in August 2010 and the acquisition of FetterGroup’s paint & coatings label business represents the 179th investment for KRG since its inception.

Fetter’s paint & coating labels business is one of the largest label providers to the paint and coatings industry. The business is based in Louisville, KY (www.fettergroup/paint).

Fort Dearborn Company is a supplier of high-impact decorative labels for the beverage, food, household products, nutraceutical, paint and coatings, personal care, private label/retail and spirits markets. The company provides cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed and shrink sleeve labels across multiple print technologies including digital, flexographic, offset lithographic and rotogravure. Headquartered in Elk Grove, IL the company has ten operating divisions in North America and approximately 1,200 employees (www.fortdearborn.com).

KRG specializes in acquiring and recapitalizing unique and profitable middle-market companies. Since inception, KRG has invested in 45 platform companies and has completed 134 add-on acquisitions for those platforms. Founded in 1996, KRG has over $4 billion of capital under management and is based in Denver (www.krgcapital.com).

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 3-5-13

H.I.G. Europe Acquires ARMetallizing and Vacumet Paper

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H.I.G. Europe has completed the simultaneous acquisitions of ARMetallizing, a Belgium based manufacturer of metalized paper from Ackermans & van Haaren, and Vacumet Paper, a Massachusetts based manufacturer of metalized paper from Scholle Corporation.

The combination of ARMetallizing (ARM) and Vacumet Paper will be a global market leader in metalized paper for use in the beverage and consumer packaged goods markets. The group’s metalized paper is currently used as the base paper in beer labels, spirit labels, food packaging, consumer product packaging and gift wrap, and can be found on many household brands such as Becks beer, Lurpak butter in Europe, and Coors Light and Hasbro in the US. With revenues in excess of €120 million, the group will supply clients globally from 3 manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Italy and the US (www.armetallizing.com) (www.vacumet.com).

“The simultaneous acquisitions of ARM & Vacumet reinforces H.I.G.’s ability to execute on complex transatlantic transactions. Over the coming years, Paul and his team will leverage H.I.G.’s presence across Europe, the US and South America to grow the business organically and through bolt-on acquisitions,” said Dr. Matthias Allgaier, Managing Director of H.I.G. Europe.

The combined company will be led by ARM’s CEO, Paul Van Emmerick and CFO, Martin Raeymakers, who will both retain a significant shareholding in the business. “We are very pleased to have completed the MBO of ARM and the simultaneous acquisition of Vacumet Paper with H.I.G. Europe. With H.I.G.’s backing, we have already taken a major step in being able to supply our customers’ global packaging needs,” said Mr. Van Emmerick.

H.I.G. Capital specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies and invests in management-led buyouts and recapitalizations of manufacturing or service businesses. Since its founding, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 200 companies and the firm’s current portfolio includes companies with combined revenues in excess of $8 billion. H.I.G. Capital has more than $8.5 billion of equity capital under management and is based in Miami, FL and has other offices in Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; London, UK; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Hamburg, Germany; and Paris, France (www.higcapital.com).

“Paul and his team have done an outstanding job building ARM into the #1 player in Europe; through the acquisition of Vacumet, we have now created the global market leader in a niche segment of consumer packaging. We look forward to supporting Paul and Martin in expanding ARM’s global footprint and extending the company’s product offering into adjacent consumer packaged goods markets,” said Mark Kelly of H.I.G. Europe.

This transaction represents H.I.G. Europe’s 21st new European investment since the beginning of 2011.

© 2012 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 9-18-12