Mason Wells Newsletter 2012 – Volume 1

Newsletter
January 1 2012
In This Issue
  • Mason Wells Acquires Pacon Corporation
  • Mullinix Packages Acquired by Mason Wells
  • Mason Wells Announces Promotion
Portfolio Company Updates
  • Coating Excellence International, LLC
  • Dedicated Computing LLC/Tushaus Computer Services
  • Paragon Development Systems, Inc.
Mason Wells Acquires Pacon Corporation

Mason Wells announced that it had closed on the acquisition of Pacon Corporation (“Pacon”) from The Van Hoof Companies in November 2011. The business is owned by Mason Wells, current management, and other co-investors.

With facilities in Appleton and Neenah, Wisconsin, as well as Barrie, Ontario, Pacon primarily sells its products in two markets: school and art. In the school market, Pacon is a leading converter and marketer of consumable school supplies sold to the K-8 market under numerous brands, including Peacock, Tru-Ray, and Fadeless.

In the art market, Pacon is a leading converter and marketer of art papers sold primarily under the Strathmore Artist Papers™ brand to students, professionals, and recreational artists. Pacon Corporation operates under the names Pacon Corporation, Strathmore Artist Papers™, Bemiss-Jason, Baywood ULC, and Superior Specialties, Inc.

Since its inception in 1951, Pacon has become a well-recognized provider of innovative, premium products in its markets. The Company’s skilled workforce, low-cost manufacturing capabilities, strong brands, talented sales organization, and experienced management team have allowed the company to consistently meet the expectations of its customers.

For more information relating to Pacon, please visit their website at www.pacon.com.

Mullinix Packages, Inc. Acquired by Mason Wells

In December 2011, Mason Wells closed on the acquisition of Mullinix Packages, Inc., (“Mullinix”) from the family of George Lueken, founder of Mullinix. The business is owned by Mason Wells and management.

Mullinix is a Fort Wayne, Indiana manufacturer of thermoformed packaging for the food and foodservice industries. Mullinix’s product mix includes custom and stock trays, cups, cartons, lids, and clamshells. The Company utilizes polypropylene (“PP”), crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (“CPET”), and amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (“APET”) resins and barrier films to meet specific packaging characteristics and requirements including refrigerated stable, microwave and dishwasher safe, dual-ovenable, freezer-to-oven, and exceptional clarity. Mullinix’s customer base includes branded and private label food processors, food packaging companies, quick service restaurants, and foodservice distributors.

Mullinix was founded in 1970 in Saginaw, Michigan by George Lueken. In 1976, the Company moved Mullinix to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and developed a reputation for identifying new, highly technical food packaging applications for thermoformed products. Today, Mullinix is recognized as a leader in APET, CPET, and PP thermoforming food packaging applications with a state-of-the-art thermoforming facility and equipment set.

For more information on Mullinix, please visit www.mullinixpackages.com.

Mason Wells’ Promotion Announced

Mason Wells is pleased to announce that Greg Myers has been named Senior Managing Director. He started his career in private equity in 1988 when he joined the M&I Capital Markets Group as a financial analyst. Greg was part of the team that spun out of Marshall & Ilsley in 1998 to form Mason Wells. He is a member of the General Partner of Mason Wells Buyout Funds I, II, and III.

Greg is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eddy Packing Co., Inc., NEX Performance Films, and Oliver Products Company. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Coating Excellence International, LLC

Coating Excellence International, LLC was honored as the recipient of an award for their Pinch Bottom Woven Poly Bag at the World Packaging Organization WorldStar Awards competition held in Stockholm Sweden in November 2011. The WorldStar Awards are the most important packaging competition in the industry.

WorldStars Awards are presented only to those packages which, having already won recognition in a national competition, are compared to similar packages from around the world, judged superior in its own right, and better in their class in execution or innovation by comparison. There were 243 entries from 33 countries with just 137 winners selected. CEI was one of only nine other companies in the United States that were honored with an award.

Dedicated Computing LLC/Tushaus Computer Services

Tushaus Computer Services, a division of Dedicated Computing LLC, received a 98% overall satisfaction rating from clients who participated in a survey conducted by Peregrine Marketing Research. In addition, 99% of the clients responding indicated they would recommend Tushaus to a colleague.

Paragon Development Systems, Inc.

Paragon Development Systems, Inc. announced that it has entered into a sole-source Healthcare IT Product Supplier Agreement with the Upper Midwest Consolidated Services Center, LLC (UMCSC). The UMCSC is a regional, member-owned VHA Supply Network of VHA Upper Midwest members and consists of 37 not-for-profit healthcare organizations representing more than $3.6 billion in combined annual spending.

All news