CHICAGO, March 6, 2020 – Mesirow Financial acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Quad/Graphics, Inc.  (“Quad” or “the Company”) on the sale of its Omaha, NE, packaging plant to Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“Graphic Packaging”).

Quad is a worldwide marketing solutions partner providing a diverse range of print and media services. Based in Sussex, WI, Quad offers a unique integrated marketing platform, and its packaging solutions support speed-to-market through strategy and creative, structural design, package performance testing, prepress, printing and logistics, and more. The sale of the Omaha plant, which performs high-volume, low-cost converting for folding cartons, will allow the Company to intensify its efforts behind its higher value packaging solutions, creating a cohesive brand experience across all media channels for its clients.

"Mesirow’s thoughtful guidance and significant experience within the packaging industry were instrumental in finding this partnership with Graphic Packaging,” said Dave Honan, Executive Vice President and CFO of Quad. “The team expertly executed this transaction, securing a positive outcome for both the talented team in Omaha and Quad’s overall operations.”

Rick Weil, managing director of Mesirow Financial’s Investment Banking group, said, “We were thrilled to advise Quad on this transaction. We believe the strategic combination of its Omaha plant’s excellent manufacturing capabilities and a vertically integrated supplier like Graphic Packaging will benefit all parties and enable Quad to continue growing its core packaging platform.”

This transaction represents another successful assignment completed by Mesirow Financial’s Investment Banking group. Having completed over 125 transactions in recent years, Mesirow Financial is one of the most active advisors within the paper, plastics, packaging and specialty printing sectors.

About Mesirow Financial Investment Banking

Mesirow Financial Investment Banking focuses exclusively on middle-market transactions and serves both public and private companies in merger & acquisition advisory, debt advisory, restructuring and special situations, fairness and solvency opinions, board of directors advisory and special committee representation. Our practice combines rich industry knowledge and long-standing relationships with an entrepreneurial desire to develop tailored solutions designed to deliver measurable results. For more information, please visit mesirow.com

About Quad/Graphics

Quad (NYSE: QUAD) is a worldwide marketing solutions partner dedicated to creating a better way for its clients through a data-driven, integrated marketing platform that helps clients reduce complexity, increase efficiency and enhance marketing spend effectiveness. Quad provides its clients with unmatched scale for client onsite services and expanded subject expertise in marketing strategy, creative solutions, media deployment and marketing management services. With a client-centric approach that drives its expanded offering, combined with leading-edge technology and single-source simplicity, Quad has the resources and knowledge to help a wide variety of clients in multiple vertical industries, including retail, financial/insurance, consumer packaged goods and publishing. Quad has multiple locations throughout North America, South America and Europe, and strategic partnerships in Asia and other parts of the world.  For additional information visit www.QUAD.com.

Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow Financial investment vehicle(s). Mesirow Financial, Inc. is not affiliated with Quad/Graphics, Inc., Graphic Packaging Holding Company, or their affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mesirow Financial refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA, SIPC.