Trends in Packaging M&A

A third major acquisition theme seen in the packaging marketplace is the continued active role of private equity. In general, the private equity marketplace today is very different than it was before the financial crisis. Prior to the financial crisis it was not unusual to see multi-billion dollar private equity-led transactions across all industries, including packaging. Today, private equity still plays a very active role in packaging, but usually on a somewhat smaller scale. Chart 3 briefly profiles some significant private equity-backed participants in the general package printing sector. Most of these companies have been quite acquisitive over the years.