Specialized Packaging Group is expanding into the Midwest and the Rockies with the acquisition of Protective Packaging Solution (PPS), which has locations in Aurora, Colo., and Cincinnati.
"We're a vertically integrated provider of protective packaging solutions across North America and we're looking to expand both organically and through acquisition," said SPG CEO Paul Budsworth.
PPS designs and fabricates custom packaging for a variety of end markets including the semiconductor, health care, pharmaceutical, defense and automotive industris, and has a nationwide customer base.
Oakland, Calif.-based SPG has 21 sites across the U.S, Canada and Mexico, and became interested in PPS due to its location. The company plans to make more acquisitions to expand geographically.
The acquisition was about a year-long process. SPG is adding PPS owner Tom McNamara to its management team and adding 90 employees from PPS to SPG's current 1,600 employees. The PPS team will stay at their current locations.
The first priority with the new acquisition is to create a strong platform and integrate PPS into the financial system, then move to integrate the sales and marketing operation, officials said.
"Our first priority when we acquire somebody is to maintain customer relationships," Budsworth said. "We bought PPS because they've got great customer relationships, we don't want to mess with that until we understand how it works. Then over time, we will integrate it in to a wider SPG sales and marketing efforts."
Palo Alto, Calif., private investment firm Altamont Capital Partners bought Specialized Packaging Group Inc. from the company's founder, Paul Gaulin, in 2021. SPG includes the former Ivex business, which makes polyethylene foam and other protective packaging.
In late 2021 SPG also purchased Troy, Mich.-based Packaging Concepts & Designs and Phoenix-based Packaging Specialists Inc.