FetterGroup Sells Paint & Coatings Label Business

LOUISVILLE, KY—March 8, 2013—Fort Dearborn Co., one of the nation’s top label manufacturers, has acquired the paint and coatings business of FetterGroup, a 125-year-old Louisville, KY, printing and manufacturing company.

“The acquisition is a logical fit for Fort Dearborn Company and reinforces our commitment to the paint & coatings label market,” said Jeff Brezek, Chief Executive Officer of Fort Dearborn Company, a leading supplier of cut and stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed and shrink sleeve labels, and the largest supplier of cut & stack labels in North America.

The sale positions FetterGroup to expand focus on its high-growth business of personalized print products and eCommerce platforms for such global giants as Apple and Samsung.

“I am confident that the acquisition by Fort Dearborn will be a seamless and transparent transition for our customers,” said Terry Gill, FetterGroup President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re in a change-intensive industry and Fort Dearborn is experienced with the distinct needs and customer requirements of this market.” As part of the acquisition, Fort Dearborn will be relocating label production to their facility in Fountain Inn, SC.

FetterGroup, with a long history of providing innovative print services to the world’s most recognizable brands, has expanded its focus on personalized smartphone cases for Apple and Samsung, and on highly personalized curved glass, posters, postcards and stickers. The firm also provides eCommerce sites to engage customers with simple tools to customize and order their products.

Since launching the surface decorating division in 2010, FetterGroup has quietly become one of the largest providers of customized mobile phone cases in the nation. “We are partnering with non-profit and for-profit companies, helping them create customization programs which connect their message with donors or their brand with their customers,” said Gill.

“We will continue to focus on finding innovative applications for our personalized print products and eCommerce platforms in an industry marked by constant and rapid change,” Gill said. “Our ability to remain flexible, embrace new technologies, and delight our customers will carry us into the next 125 years.”

Throughout these changes, FetterGroup has remained primarily focused on manufacturing.

“We see tremendous growth opportunities in the surface decoration market, specifically in personalized smartphone cases,” Gill said. “We have invested in the latest technology to support this business and we see strong growth opportunities for our company.”

About FetterGroup
FetterGroup prides itself on creating innovative products for the world’s most memorable brands and organizations. The firm creates emotional connections with consumers and supporters in the U.S. and across the globe by providing visually stunning products on plastic, metal, glass and paper using simple eCommerce platforms.

About Fort Dearborn Company
Fort Dearborn Company is a leading 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 Illinois, the company has ten operating divisions in North America, employing nearly 1,200 associates.

Source: FetterGroup