KKR to sell Goodpack stake back to founding Lam Family in US$1.4B deal

USA – Global private equity firm KKR is set to divest its stake in reusable intermediate bulk container (IBC) specialist Goodpack, selling the business back to its founding Lam family in a transaction valuing the company at approximately US$1.4 billion, according to reports by The Business Times.

The deal marks the culmination of a strategic review launched by KKR in October 2024, when it began exploring exit options for the Singapore-founded packaging logistics provider.

That process followed an earlier, unsuccessful attempt to divest the asset in 2020, reflecting both shifting market conditions and renewed interest in supply-chain-focused businesses.

Media reports indicate that infrastructure investor I Squared Capital emerged as the leading external bidder by July 2025, with Brookfield Asset Management and Apollo Global Management also understood to have evaluated the opportunity.

Ultimately, however, the Lam family moved to regain full control, signalling long-term confidence in Goodpack’s growth trajectory.

Founded in 1980, Goodpack specializes in pallet-sized, reusable intermediate bulk containers used to transport high-value products across industries such as chemicals, food ingredients, automotive components, and pharmaceuticals.

Its global pool-based system supports both land and sea freight, positioning the company at the intersection of packaging, logistics, and circular economy models.

Goodpack was previously listed on the Singapore Exchange before KKR took the company private in 2014, acquiring it at S$2.50 (US$1.98) per share in a deal that valued the business at around S$1.4 billion.

At the time, the Lam family retained a minority stake, which is now expected to form the foundation of its return to full ownership.

According to a source familiar with the transaction, the Lam family’s move reflects strong conviction in Goodpack’s future, particularly as manufacturers and brand owners reassess global supply chains to improve resilience, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

Reusable transport packaging has gained renewed attention as companies seek alternatives to single-use materials while reducing waste and emissions across logistics networks.

During KKR’s ownership, Goodpack is said to have expanded its global footprint, deepened customer relationships, and diversified its end-market exposure.

The company has also continued to invest in operational efficiency and digital tools to improve asset tracking and container utilization.

“With control back in family hands, the focus is firmly on building a larger, more valuable global platform over the long term, rather than pursuing near-term exits,” the source was quoted as saying, adding that further innovation, geographic expansion, and closer collaboration with existing customers are expected to form part of the next growth phase.

The transaction comes amid sustained private equity interest in packaging and logistics assets that support circular economy models and global trade.

As regulatory and sustainability pressures increase worldwide, reusable bulk packaging providers such as Goodpack are increasingly viewed as strategic enablers of more efficient and resilient supply chains.

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