Industry poised for increase in consolidation

The resin- and fiber-based packaging, coating and converting markets are ripe for consolidation as heavily-leveraged firms face financial uncertainty, and future growth and profitability offer potential for both strategic and financial buyers, according to the head of market research and advisory company AWA Alexander Watson Associates.
 
In his program notes for the next AWA Alexander Watson Associates Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Executive Forum, Corey Reardon (pictured, top), the company’s president and chief executive officer (CEO), said: ‘Merger and acquisition activities continue to pick-up pace across many sectors. The resin- and fiber-based packaging, coating and converting sectors are no exception. The buying and selling of companies across the packaging, coating and converting sectors by other companies, for strategic reasons, or by private equity and investment groups, for financial reasons, is increasing. The sectors are poised for further consolidation. Future growth and profitability are attractive, and opportunities exist for both strategic and financial buyers.’
 
The 2012 AWA M&A Executive Forum for the resin- and fiber-based packaging, coating and converting industries takes place in Chicago on April 16.
 

'There will be numerous M&A opportunities...as consolidation will be necessary and heavily-leveraged firms face financial uncertainty'

The event is intended for senior managers, and the program features a line-up including: Reardon himself; Thomas Blaige, CEO of sponsors Blaige & Company; Wolfgang Berger, head of strategy and business development at Mondi Europe and International; and Ian Murdoch, director for global forest paper and packaging at PricewaterhouseCoopers.  
 
Berger’s presentation will give an overview of the extrusion coating, release liner and consumer packaging markets, and will highlight the expected market developments, recent M&A activity and further consolidation trends
 
Reardon added: ‘Over the next 12 to 18 months it is expected that there will be numerous M&A opportunities for both strategic and financial buyers across the sectors, particularly as consolidation will be necessary, and heavily-leveraged firms face financial uncertainty. Senior managers and financial buyers with an understanding of the sectors, as well as an understanding of current M&A tools, will be positioned to take advantage of acquisition opportunities to improve and grow their companies and financial performance.’

Click here to download the program for the 2012 AWA M&A Executive Forum for the resin- and fiber-based packaging, coating and converting industries.