USA – Aterian Investment Partners, a private investment firm, has acquired Outlook Group, a U.S.-based provider of pressure-sensitive labels and comprehensive packaging solutions.
Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Outlook Group is recognized for its expertise in design, printing, converting, and co-packaging, catering to leading food and beverage, consumer, and healthcare brands across North America.
Established in 1977, Outlook Group operates from two Wisconsin locations and employs around 260 people.
This acquisition marks the sixth investment from Aterian’s US$834 million Fund IV, as the firm aims to support Outlook’s next growth phase.
Aterian co-founder Brandon Bethea remarked, “We are excited to partner with the Outlook team to support the company’s growth. Outlook’s reputation for quality and service has built a loyal customer base over decades.”
Advisory support for Aterian’s acquisition came from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Perella Weinberg Partners.
Ryan Miller, Aterian’s managing director, added, “Outlook’s strong management, high-touch service model, and extensive capabilities position it well for future success. We look forward to driving growth through both organic initiatives and mergers and acquisitions.”
Foundation Investment Partners snaps American Spool & Packaging
Foundation Investment Partners (FIP) has acquired American Spool & Packaging (Amspak), based in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Founded in 1966 by Larry Ridgeway, Amspak specializes in converting sheets and mill rolls into unique packaging products such as spiral paper tubes, folding cartons, spools, reels, trays, die-cut cards, and slit papers.
With Ridgeway’s three children, Trey Ridgeway, Lynn Curry, and Tifini Stafford, having led Amspak, the company will now continue under FIP’s ownership with industry veteran David Partin as CEO.
Partin, along with Michael Smith, VP of Sales and Marketing, brings over 47 years of combined experience in the paper tube industry.
Partin commented on the transition, saying, “Getting to know FIP’s leadership has been a pleasure. Their commitment to improvement and growth aligns well with our goals. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we look forward to a successful partnership.”
Operating from a 93,000-square-foot facility near Interstates 95 and 20, Amspak employs over 40 staff and operates a range of equipment, including three paper slitters, a sheeter, a large-format guillotine, five printing presses (including narrow- and mid-web flexographic and modified letterpresses), in-house design, prepress, plate-making capabilities, and seven die cutters.
FIP managing director David Wood highlighted the company’s potential, “The recycled paper packaging market is robust, with paper tubes and folding cartons serving diverse customers. We are confident FIP’s expertise in packaging will create value in this partnership with Amspak.”
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