With the holidays upon us and 2022 approaching, Label & Narrow Web has explored what readers found most newsworthy in 2021. The pandemic – and subsequent supply chain challenges – continued to impact the industry and society as a whole. Despite the continued challenges, label converters and suppliers worked diligently to ensure the best possible service for their customers. New products, innovative communication strategies, and M&A news continued to dominate the headlines.

We look back at the top ranked stories that drew the most site traffic:

10. Fortis Solutions Group acquired
Harvest Partners, LP announced that funds managed by Harvest, along with management, acquired Fortis Solutions Group from Main Post Partners, LP. The company’s management team, led by founder and CEO John Wynne, will continue to lead Fortis and remain significant owners of the business alongside Harvest.

9. Resource Label Group acquires Teklabel
RLG expanded its West Coast presence and enhanced its position in the label and packaging industry. Teklabel represented the 20th acquisition for Resource Label at the time and further expands its regional strength in the western US, with seven locations to serve its diverse customer base.

8. Avery Dennison announces acquisition
Avery Dennison announced an agreement to acquire JDC Solutions, Inc., a privately-owned manufacturer of pressure-sensitive specialty tapes headquartered in Mount Juliet, TN, USA for the purchase price of $24 million. JDC employs approximately 75 employees located at its headquarters and manufacturing site in Tennessee, with approximately $30 million in annual revenue.

7. Flint Group to sell XSYS division to Lone Star affiliate
Flint Group signed a definitive agreement to sell its XSYS division, which specializes in the development and supply of printing plates, sleeves and adapters, and prepress equipment to the packaging industry, to an affiliate of Lone Star Funds, a global private equity firm. Upon closing, the XSYS management team comprised Antoine Fady as CEO, Dagmar Schmidt as COO, and Martin Sauer as CFO. Steve Dryden succeeded Fady as CEO of Flint Group.

6. Inovar Packaging Group acquires Precision Label
“We are extremely excited to have Precision Label join the Inovar family,” says Jeff Brezek, executive chairman and CEO of Inovar Packaging. “Co-owners Pete Krudwig and Joe Feeley have built a truly differentiated label business over the last 23 years. They provide industry-leading customer service and continuously push the boundaries with innovative solutions and services. In addition, we couldn’t have found better partners in Pete and Joe and are thrilled to have them continue to lead what will now be Inovar’s flagship West Coast location.”

5. New Green Bay Packaging paper mill begins production
Green Bay Packaging announced that the first reel of paper was produced at its new paper mill in Green Bay, WI on March 11, 2021.  This milestone comes two and a half years after breaking ground.

4. L&NW sits down with PPG’s Amy Mercante
L&NW had the chance to speak to Amy Mercante, who has spent nearly 30 years with the company and has been named the global business director, Teslin Substrate Products. She provided insight on the company’s latest offerings for the label and packaging space, as well as her role within the organization.

3. Lux Global Label adapts, thrives during challenging year
The challenges of the past year have not slowed down Lux Global Label. In fact, the Lafayette Hill, PA-based label converter has been more active than ever, with new equipment purchases, an acquisition and the transition to a new CEO all taking place over the last 15 months.

2. CD&R to acquire, merge Fort Dearborn and Multi-Color
Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) announced a definitive agreement under which CD&R acquired and combined Fort Dearborn and Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) to create the world’s largest label solutions company serving customers worldwide. CD&R acquired Fort Dearborn and MCC from global private equity investors Advent International and Platinum Equity, respectively.

1. Mactac acquires Duramark Products, formerly Ritrama USA
Mactac, a Lintec company, acquired Duramark Products Inc., previously known as Ritrama USA. The acquisition consisted of the company’s Minneapolis, MN, and Moore, SC, facilities, including its new coaters and advanced automation technologies. Both locations were rebranded under the Mactac name, creating one of the largest, most diversified pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) suppliers in North America.

“We are thrilled to make this announcement and to maximize Duramark Products’ recent investments in state-of-the-art equipment and processes,” says Ed LaForge, president and CEO of Mactac.