• El Dorado is a leading producer of consumer and industrial multi-wall packaging solutions

• The acquisition by ProAmpac will facilitate El Dorado’s continued growth

• The sale executed by Mesirow highlights the firm’s expertise within the flexible packaging sector

CHICAGO, April 22, 2021 – Mesirow acted as exclusive financial advisor to El Dorado Packaging Holdings, LLC (“El Dorado” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Industrial Opportunity Partners (“IOP”), on its sale to ProAmpac, a leading global flexible packaging company and portfolio company of Pritzker Private Capital.

El Dorado manufactures customized paper-based packaging and printing solutions for retail and industrial markets. With three plant locations in Arkansas, Minnesota and Nebraska, El Dorado produces paper self-opening sacks, rollstock for consumer packaging and industrial multi-wall bags for food service, seed, animal health and chemical markets.  Equipped with nimble operations and best-in-class leadership, the Company has established itself as a manufacturer of unparalleled quality products for a diverse base of blue-chip customers. The partnership between ProAmpac and El Dorado will bolster ProAmpac’s operating platform within the flexible packaging industry while enabling El Dorado to pursue numerous near-term growth opportunities.

“Mesirow provided unwavering support from start to finish, utilizing their expertise and long-standing relationships within the flexible packaging industry to secure the ideal outcome for El Dorado’s employees, shareholders and customers alike,” said Chris Willis, Managing Director of IOP. “We valued our partnership with the Company and look forward to its continued success.”

Dave Hawkins, Co-Chief Operating Officer at El Dorado, said, “We are excited to partner with ProAmpac, an ideal partner to support our continued growth. Mesirow’s involvement was instrumental in bringing this deal to fruition.”

Rick Weil, Managing Director of Mesirow Investment Banking, commented, “We were honored to advise El Dorado on this successful transaction. The Company’s strong reputation allowed us to identify ProAmpac as a highly strategic partner committed to furthering El Dorado’s growth.”

“This transaction is the 45th in the consolidating flexible packaging sector since the paper, plastics and packaging group’s founding nearly 20 years ago and the eighth in the past 12 months. We’re proud of our work, which encompasses both paper and plastic substrates and a variety of end markets such as consumer, industrial, food, medical and QSR” said Louis Mitchell, Managing Director of Mesirow Investment Banking.

The sale of El Dorado to ProAmpac represents another successful assignment completed by Mesirow Investment Banking. Mesirow is one of the most active advisors in the paper, plastics and packaging sectors, having completed more than 150 transactions over the past 20 years. Committed to leveraging extensive sector-specific expertise across industry groups and nurturing deep long-standing relationships, Mesirow has a proven track record of completing highly tailored and successful transactions on behalf of clients.

About Mesirow
Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago with offices around the world, 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 & 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.

Mesirow was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business and one of the Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune.

About El Dorado
El Dorado Packaging is a leader in multi-wall, consumer and rollstock packaging. The company creates customized paper-based packaging and printing solutions for retail and industrial markets. Within three plant locations, El Dorado produces paper self-opening sacks and rollstock for consumer packaging, and industrial multi-wall and shipping bags for food service, seed, animal health and chemical markets.  For more information, visit eldoradopackaging.com.

Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow investment vehicle(s). Mesirow Financial, Inc. is not affiliated with El Dorado Packaging Holdings, LLC, Industrial Opportunity Partners, ProAmpac, Pritzker Private Capital, or their affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA, SIPC.