Brook & Whittle Acquires Packstar Group

HARTFORD, Conn.—Print and packaging solutions specialist Brook & Whittle Ltd., headquartered in North Branford, Conn., announced the acquisition of Packstar Group Inc., located in Amherst, N.Y.

Packstar is one of the leading innovators in the flexible packaging industry offering a full range of services in the conversion of heat shrinkable packaging products. Packstar currently employs 100 people and, like Brook & Whittle, serves blue chip clients in the personal care, beverage, and food sectors, both in the U.S. and in Canada. The company has pioneered the use of sustainable materials for shrink sleeve packaging, which is in increasingly high demand by leading consumer packaged goods companies.

Stephen Stewart, CEO, Brook & Whittle, stated, “With shrink sleeves demonstrating the highest growth rates of all label types, the acquisition of Packstar is the perfect fit for Brook & Whittle, enabling us to significantly extend our portfolio of promotional packaging and product labeling formats and to further extend our capacity to meet needs of our clients. We are delighted to have such a talented group of professionals join the Brook & Whittle team.”

Established in 1997 by Andrew Sharp (President), Packstar operations are today directed by co-owner Frank Clesse. Both Sharp and Clesse will remain with the merged company. Sharp sees clear benefits from the acquisition, “Bringing together two innovative companies that are leaders in their respective fields, offers exciting opportunities for future growth and some clear synergies. We are looking forward to working with our new partners.”

Through this acquisition, Brook &Whittle has also acquired a significant equity position in Bluepack LLC, a minority-owned label supplier. Helen Ma, the majority owner of Bluepack said, “I am very excited by my new relationship with Brook & Whittle. Many of my customers have been asking me to broaden the range of labels I can supply, and this relationship will enable me to better meet their needs.”

Brook & Whittle, founded in 1996, has two facilities specializing in the manufacture of high-quality, decorative pressure-sensitive labels and packaging for many of the nation’s leading brands. In addition to its factory and headquarters in North Branford, the company recently announced that it will open a new 75,000 square foot factory at Guilford, Conn., to handle its high volume production work for the beverage market.