FirmaPak specializes in the production of single-stage and two-stage blow molded PET containers and extrusion blow molded HDPE containers for specialty food & beverage, household, industrial, and other manufacturers. Headquartered in Chicago, IL with manufacturing facilities in Hillsboro, Kansas, New Castle, Pennsylvania, and Brookfield, Missouri, FirmaPak operates more than 200,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space while maintaining excellent customer service and providing sophisticated, innovative, and reliable plastic packaging solutions.
Harvey & Co., having spent considerable time in the blow molded packaging industry, saw an opportunity to create a more regionally focused, agile and customer-centric rigid plastic packaging platform. Despite consistent approaches from several private equity backed consolidators in North America, the ownership and management teams of Container Services (CSI) and Apex Plastics aligned with the opportunity to participate in a new and unique platform. Firmapak, the resulting platform, has created a group of specialized blow molded packaging companies well-positioned to continue executing on organic growth and strategic partnerships with like-minded companies.
- January 2023 – Partnership with Container Services
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- Like most privately-held companies in the rigid plastic packaging industry, blow molders in particular, Container Services (CSI) was approached frequently by strategic and financial investors. The family consistently declined inquiries as CSI continued to grow, recently opened a new location, had no need for outside capital nor an interest in selling to a large conglomerate. Given the shareholders’ feedback, Harvey & Co. approached CSI with a unique strategy alongside a thesis-driven private equity partner who presented a compelling path to accelerate growth.
- Founded in 1991, CSI set out to provide custom plastic containers to honey producers, including their iconic “honey bear” bottle. CSI has since expanded its product offerings and manufacturing capabilities, and has grown into a leading manufacturer of high-quality, custom containers for food and beverage, household products, and automotive applications. Today, CSI has over 100 employees and more than 150,000 sq.ft. of manufacturing space across 2 facilities.
- Harvey & Co. introduced CSI’s ownership to a private equity partner who is best positioned to facilitate the necessary infrastructure, capital, resources and expertise. CSI’s Chief Executive Officer will continue in his role alongside the high-caliber management team who is responsible for their excellent reputation in the rigid plastic packaging sector.
- January 2024 – Partnership with Apex Plastics
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- Apex Plastics, similar to Container Services, received inquiries regularly from strategic acquirers looking to consolidate the facility into an existing operation. The decision to partner with FirmaPak was driven by the ownership’s motivation to ensure the continuity of the facility, management team, entrepreneurial agility, and high degree of customer service.
- Apex is an ISO 9001:2015 certified plastics blow molder, specializing in custom single-stage PET and extruded HDPE plastic containers for use in the food and beverage, household products, and automotive industries, among others.
- Harvey & Co. initiated the partnership with Apex, which resulted in the addition of a state-of-the-art facility with single-stage blow molding and an experienced management team led by Damon Neff, leveraging a 20+ year career at Apex where he will continue as President.