CHICAGO, July 6, 2023 – Mesirow acted as the exclusive financial advisor to The Standard Group (“Standard Group” or the “Company”) on its sale to PaperWorks Industries.

Founded in 1932, The Standard Group is a fourth-generation converter of custom printed folding cartons for a diverse set of end markets including branded and private-label food, household goods and personal care products, among others. The Company’s 220,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky will geographically complement PaperWorks’ other paperboard packaging operations.

Lou Cortes, President and CEO of The Standard Group, said, “Mesirow served as a trusted advisor to The Standard Group throughout this process. Mesirow’s relationships and sector expertise were crucial in identifying PaperWorks as an ideal partner. PaperWorks provides an opportunity for The Standard Group to prosper with a larger paperboard packaging network, broader technical capabilities and integration synergies. We are excited about the future of The Standard Group in partnership with PaperWorks.”

“We are proud to have represented The Standard Group in its sale to PaperWorks Industries.” said Rick Weil, Managing Director of Investment Banking at Mesirow. “The Standard Group has a well-established presence and stellar reputation in the folding carton sector and serves some of the top consumer brands in the U.S.”

Melanie Yermack, Managing Director of Investment Banking at Mesirow, added: “The mill integration and broader geographic platform PaperWorks offers will support The Standard Group’s continued growth and allow the Company to best service its customers. We were pleased to deliver a successful outcome and look forward to following The Standard Group’s continued success.”

The sale of The Standard Group 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 over 190 transactions in recent years. Committed to leveraging extensive sector-specific expertise across industry groups and nurturing deep longstanding relationships, Mesirow has a proven track record of completing highly tailored and successful transactions on behalf of its clients.

About Mesirow 

Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with locations 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 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.

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