• Carton Group is a leading German-based European packaging business that is a portfolio company of Waterland Private Equity
• Headquartered in Verona, Italy with production sites near Treviso and Perugia in Italy, Europoligrafico is a family-run business

LONDON, 18th October, 2023 – Mesirow, an independent, employee-owned financial services firm, announced it acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Carton Group GmbH (“Carton Group” or the “Company”), on the acquisition of Europoligrafico.

Carton Group manufactures high-quality folding boxes, blanks, corrugated cardboard packaging and displays for a broad range of products and industries. The Company produces both small series and large runs with its main end markets being FMCG, personal health care, cosmetics, consumer electronics and food. The business has its headquarters in Schwabach, Germany and serves clients across Europe and in China. Carton Group and its predecessor firm have been a portfolio company of Waterland Private Equity since July 2020.

Andrea Wildies, CEO of the Carton Group, said: ‘With this acquisition, we are taking our capabilities to the next level. Our goal is to develop ground-breaking solutions through intelligent processes and services. We will redefine the boundaries between product, packaging and process. We look forward to walking this path together as a powerful group with our customers.’

Federico Riccio, General Manager of Europoligrafico, said: ‘With Carton Group, we are joining a strong group. We are convinced that this merger is now the next right step in the success story of our company. We benefit from the Carton Group’s customer network and know-how and will continue to build on our strengths. As part of the Carton Group, we are well equipped to grow and shape the future in a rapidly changing market environment.’

David DiMatteo, Managing Director of Investment Banking at Mesirow in London, added, ‘We believe Europoligrafico is an excellent partner for Carton Group to develop the Italian market. Mesirow was pleased to have introduced this opportunity to Carton Group and to have helped the Company on its first acquisition outside its home market of Germany.’

About Mesirow

Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937 with its headquarters in Chicago. Its European operations are based in London, and the firm has offices across the US and in Hong Kong, from which we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management, Capital Markets and Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities, and our culture. To learn more, visit mesirow.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Carton Group

Carton Group is a leading packaging company based in Schwabach, Germany, and is part of the Waterland Group. The company is pursuing the goal of taking a leading position in the European packaging industry – both through organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. Carton Group develops innovative packaging solutions that add value and utility to goods and products while meeting the changing needs of its customers. Learn more: Carton-Group.com

About Europoligrafico

Europoligrafico is an Italian supplier of innovative and high-quality packaging solutions with an extensive portfolio. With headquarters in Verona and production sites near Treviso and Perugia, the company mainly serves customer in the FMCG sector. Thanks to its comprehensive machinery, it can offer a wide range of solutions – such as the special boxes for Panettone and Pandoro cakes. The group employs more than 200 people and generates a turnover of 60 million euros.  Learn more: Europoligrafico.it