WS Packaging Group Acquires Consolidated Products

GREEN BAY, WI—June 4, 2012—WS Packaging Group has acquired Consolidated Products, a label converting company located in Knoxville, TN. Consolidated Products produces compliance labels for industrial products; manufactures flexo, digital and domed labels; markets thermal transfer printers and ribbons, as well as automation equipment; specializes in providing turnkey RFID and warehouse management solutions; and provides both offset and digitally produced "Directions For Use" manuals and instruction sheets. The company is an ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labels and tags.

"Having Consolidated Products as part of WS Packaging's future is a win-win situation," said Rex Lane, CEO of WS Packaging. "With more than 24 years of experience, adding their vast knowledge of the converting business and their other capabilities to our product offering strengthens our strategic initiatives to be a true single-source provider for a broad range of our customers' printing and packaging needs."

Consolidated Products has a long-standing commitment to engaging Lean manufacturing principles that focus on a higher level of accountability, shorter lead times, faster overall turn-around on projects, reduced waste, and improved cleanliness and organization throughout the company. Its willingness to embrace and build on a Lean culture will make for a smooth transition into the WS Packaging IMPACT™ Business System, a new approach to business that demonstrates and applies innovative change through Lean practices that positively impact the company, its employees, and its customers.

"We're excited to join forces with WS Packaging," said Kirk Icuss, president of Consolidated Products. "Our two companies have the same philosophy and commitment to product quality and creating long-lasting partnerships with our customers, based on continuous support and delivering value. Combining the capabilities of our two companies creates a powerful resource for all our customers, associates and business partners."

About WS Packaging Group
WS Packaging Group, with more than 45 years of experience, is one of the largest printing and label converting operations in North America. It operates 18 manufacturing facilities and produces high-quality packaging products. Its customers range in size from small businesses to large, high-volume manufacturers and consumer product goods companies doing business locally, nationally, and in marketplaces worldwide. WS Packaging Group is majority owned by J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. (JWC), a private equity firm based in Boston, MA, investing in middle-market growth companies. Since 1995, JWC has invested in over 40 companies, with a transaction value of more than $12 billion.

Source: WS Packaging Group.