PE firm Advent International to acquire majority stake in Fort Dearborn Company

Global private equity investor Advent International has reached an agreement to acquire a majority ownership interest in Fort Dearborn Company, a North American supplier of prime labels for the consumer goods industry.

Fort Dearborn is the third-largest supplier of prime labels in North America

Founded in 1925, Fort Dearborn is the third-largest supplier of prime labels in North America, serving consumer packaged goods customers in the food, beverage, spirits, paint and coatings, household products, personal care and private label/retail markets. Headquartered in Elk Grove, Illinois, Fort Dearborn employs approximately 1,675 associates across 15 manufacturing facilities in the US and Canada.

Advent International has invested in more than 300 private equity transactions in 40 countries and, as of March 31, 2016, has 42 billion USD in assets under management. The private equity firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including: business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecom.

Advent International is to acquire its stake from KRG Capital Partners, with Fort Dearborn’s management team to retain a minority stake in the company and continue to lead the business following the completion of the transaction.

‘We are pleased to welcome Advent International as our new investment partner as we pursue our strategy of providing industry-leading prime label products and services,’ said Jeff Brezek, president and CEO of Fort Dearborn. ‘With Advent’s deep resources and global expertise, we will continue to invest in all aspects of our business to provide superior label solutions for our customers and ongoing opportunities for our associates.

‘I would also like to thank KRG Capital for all their support over the last six years in helping Fort Dearborn evolve and grow to where we are today.’

Kevin Feinblum, a managing director at Advent International, added: ‘Fort Dearborn is a leading player in the large, fragmented labels market with a differentiated culture and customer service model. The company has completed four acquisitions since 2013, and we believe it is well positioned to add further capabilities to better serve its customers. We look forward to working with Fort Dearborn’s management team to pursue these growth opportunities.’

KRG Capital Partners managing director Chris Lane praised Fort Dearborn’s staff for the company’s growth in recent years. ‘Since our partnership with Fort Dearborn’s management began in August 2010, the company has dramatically expanded its service capabilities through a combination of organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions.

‘Through these initiatives, the associates of Fort Dearborn have done an outstanding job expanding its market leadership position. We believe Advent will be a great partner to help Fort Dearborn continue to enhance its market-leading service capabilities.’