Container manufacturer BWAY Corp. has reached an agreement to buy North American Packaging Corp., the companies announced last week. Nampac claims to be the largest U.S. producer of plastic containers for the lubricants industry.
The companies did not disclose terms of the deal, which they expect to complete in 30 days. BWAY officials said the acquisition would help meet growth goals and help diversify a company that has focused more on steel containers.
Nampac, which is based in Raleigh, N.C., had sales of $230 million in 2003. With 10 plants throughout the United States, it manufactures a variety of hard plastic packaging products, including pails, drums and tight head containers. Its three main customer segments are the lubricants industry, the paints and coatings market and the food industry.
Atlanta-based BWAY, which is owned by equity partners Kelso and Co., said the combined company will have annual sales of $800 million. Officials said Nampac will continue operating as a separate division, and that BWAYs existing plastics operations, acquired last year from SST Industries, will be added to it. Tom Linton, Nampac’s former vice president of western operations, has been named president and chief operating officer of the Nampac division.