MPE Partners has created a new custom food packaging platform through separate strategic investments in Central Coated Products and Sun America.
Both companies will maintain operations at their current production sites following the transaction, with daily activities expected to remain unchanged despite the consolidation.
The new platform is aimed at unifying their capabilities and expanding MPE Partners’ footprint in the industry.
The combined company supplies wax paper, baking cups, and plastic packaging tailored to food processors.
Its customers span sectors such as meat, cheese, and baked goods, reached through both direct and distributor channels. The combined company also distributes a variety of foodservice wax paper products under the Carnation label.
The investment incorporates collaboration with Steve Porter from Central Coated and Sun America founder Russ Romocean.
Porter said: “Over the last four decades, Central Coated’s mission has been to deliver high-quality, custom wax paper solutions that solve critical productivity challenges for our customers.”
The leadership teams from both companies will reportedly remain involved in the newly formed enterprise.
Romocean said: “We founded Sun America with a commitment to provide the industry’s premier denesting paper cups and have continued to develop innovative and sustainable paper and plastic solutions for food processors.
“MPE’s shared values and vision, as well as its ability to facilitate the merger with Central Coated, made it the right partner for Sun America.”
To guide the business through its next growth stage, MPE has brought in Dave Furstoss as interim CEO and board member.
Furstoss formerly led EasyPak and spent more than 17 years in executive roles at packaging company Pactiv.
MPE principal Nick Stender said: “We are thrilled to partner with the management team to pursue new growth avenues, including targeted M&A [merger and acquisition], to build an industry-leading food packaging platform rooted in innovation, custom capabilities, quality, and reliability.”
