A group of leading regional packaging companies backed by Kelso & Company including Inmark, C.L. Smith, Silver Spur, Container Supply, Fox Valley Containers, Rhino Container, Novvia Group Canada, Southern Container, Rahway Steel Drum, Northern Container, Ocean State Packaging, Liquid Bottles, Saxco, MegaChem and Garrett Hewitt International, have united to form The Novvia Group, a leader in high-quality packaging solutions with domestic and international customers across a wide range of industries.
Derived from the Latin words novus (new) and via (way), Novvia Group represents a commitment to setting a new industry standard as a national stocking distributor with trusted local relationships and a comprehensive suite of customized products and services.
December 2020
Inmark, a leading distributor of rigid container and life sciences packaging, announced that funds affiliated with private equity firm Kelso & Company acquired a majority interest in the company.
“The Inmark team has built a truly differentiated business, and we are eager to support its growth, both organically and through acquisitions, as it continues to augment its product offering, expand its geographic presence, and serve the critical needs of its customers,” added Alec Hufnagel, Managing Director at Kelso.
Kelso & Company and affiliated funds acquired a majority interest in C.L. Smith Company, a leading distributor of rigid packaging solutions. C.L. Smith is combined with Kelso’s existing investment in Inmark, a distributor of rigid container & life sciences packaging products.
“We are extremely excited about this transformational combination of C.L. Smith and Inmark. The combined company will offer a more robust product offering and expanded geographic footprint to service the critical needs of customers. We are committed to continuing to invest in the platform through a combination of organic and inorganic growth initiatives,” added Alec Hufnagel, Kelso Investment Partner.
Funds managed by Kelso & Company acquired Silver Spur Corporation, a supplier of specialty glass & plastic packaging. Silver Spur is combined with Kelso’s existing investments in C.L. Smith and Inmark, distributors of rigid container and life sciences packaging.
“The Silver Spur team has successfully executed on a differentiated growth strategy focused on sourcing, stocking, and distributing high-quality specialty packaging products to customers with diverse needs,” said Sandy Osborne, Managing Director at Kelso. “The combination of Silver Spur with C.L. Smith and Inmark will improve our product availability, expand our geographic and end-market coverage, and support the continued enhancement of our customer value proposition,” added Alec Hufnagel, Managing Director at Kelso.
Funds managed by Kelso & Company have acquired Container Supply, Inc., a distributor of metal and plastic packaging products. Container Supply is combined with Kelso’s existing investments in C.L. Smith, Inmark, & Silver Spur, distributors of rigid container, life sciences, and dangerous goods packaging products.
“Over its long history, Container Supply has established a leading reputation in its markets based on a track record of providing high-quality products and differentiated customer service,” said Sandy Osborne, Managing Director at Kelso. “We are excited to welcome the Container Supply team to the broader organization as we seek to expand our presence in the South-Central region and deliver additional resources and capabilities to our customers,” added Alec Hufnagel, Managing Director at Kelso.
A group of leading regional packing companies backed by Kelso & Company including Inmark, C.L. Smith, Silver Spur and Container Supply have united to form The Novvia Group, a leader in high-quality packaging solutions with domestic and international customers across a wide range of industries.
“Already unified by our shared values, industry-leading talent and passion for best-in-class customer service, our family of great companies will now be further united by a dynamic holding company name and brand identity,” said Sarah Macdonald, CEO of Novvia Group and President of C.L. Smith. “While Novvia Group provides an appropriate level of corporate identity, our individual company names will remain and, indeed, be championed to leverage the local and personalized service that has led to deep and lasting customer loyalty over many decades.”
October 2021
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, acquired Fox Valley Containers, Inc., a distributor of plastic, metal, corrugated, and glass packaging products to be combined with existing investments in C.L. Smith, Inmark, Silver Spur, & Container Supply, Inc.
“Fox Valley has long enjoyed a leading reputation in its markets, and we are thrilled to welcome the company’s employees, customers, and suppliers to the Novvia family,” said Sarah Macdonald, CEO of Novvia. “Our partnership with Fox Valley represents the latest step in Novvia’s ongoing effort to continually augment our capabilities in order to deliver a world-class value proposition to our customers.”
November 2021
Inmark, a Novvia Group company backed by Kelso & Company, has acquired a majority interest in the Shanghai operations of Acepac International, to support its Life Sciences Division. With their 10-year strong partnership in China, the combination of Acepac and Inmark in the Asia Pacific region will provide for a more robust product offering and expanded geographic footprint to better serve the critical needs of their combined customer bases.
“Acepac has been a trusted strategic partner to Inmark in the Asia Pacific region for over a decade. We are excited about the enhanced product and service offerings this acquisition brings to our existing clients, as well as the tremendous growth opportunities this alliance provides Inmark in the region,” said Frank Orvino, President of Inmark.
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, acquired Rhino Container Inc., a distributor of plastic, metal, corrugated, and glass packaging products.
“The acquisition of Rhino is the next important step in Novvia’s mission to create the only national platform for rigid industrial packaging distribution,” commented Ken Roessler, Executive Chairman of Novvia. “We are grateful that Guy and his team have put their trust in us, and we look forward to working closely with them to expand further in the West Coast region.”
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired the container distribution division of Andicor Specialty Chemicals, a distributor of plastic, tin, and steel products in Canada. In connection with the transaction, Andicor Container Distribution will be re-branded Novvia Group Canada.
“Completing the acquisition of Andicor Container Distribution marks a continuation of Novvia’s strong growth momentum and demonstrates our ability to execute on a complex, cross-border carve-out,” commented Novvia Executive Chairman Ken Roessler. “Steve Waters and his partners have built a great business and we look forward to continuing their legacy of customer service.”
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Southern Container, LLC, a distributor of plastic, metal, fiber, and glass packaging products.
“I have known and admired Southern Container for over 25 years and am delighted to have them join the Novvia Group,” said Executive Chairman Ken Roessler. “The acquisition of Southern Container coupled with our existing Inmark business gives us a strong position in the Southeast market, which we believe is poised for outsized growth in the coming years.”
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Duval Container Company, a distributor of plastic, metal, fiber, and glass packaging products.
“As foreshadowed in the Southern Container announcement, we are bullish on the Southeast market and are delighted to add Duval to help Novvia expand our position in this key geography,” said Executive Chairman Ken Roessler.
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Rios Containers, a California-based distributor of plastic & metal bottles, cans, drums, lids, and other rigid packaging products.
“We are delighted to add Rios to our West Coast footprint as we continue to expand Novvia’s position in this key geography,” said Executive Chairman Ken Roessler.
November 2022
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Auberst Inc., a California-based distributor of plastic and metal rigid packaging solutions.
“We are looking forward to the continued success and expansion of our West Coast footprint and are excited to welcome Auberst to the Novvia family,” said Novvia Executive Chairman Ken Roessler.
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Innovative Container Corp, a California based distributor of plastic, metal, glass, and corrugated containers.
“We are very excited to welcome Darren Williams and his team to Novvia,” said Novvia Executive Chairman Ken Roessler. “Innovative, like Rios and Auberst, represents a valuable component of our strategy to grow and strengthen our West Coast business under our regional platform investment, Rhino Container.”
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Rahway Steel Drum Company, a New Jersey-based distributor of drums, pails, IBCs, and other rigid packaging solutions.
The transaction represents Novvia’s expansion into the Northeast. “The acquisition of Rahway is an important step for Novvia, in that it delivers on our original premise of being the only industrial packaging distributor with complete coverage of the U.S. and Canada,” said Novvia Executive Chairman Ken Roessler. “We are grateful that Mike and Tony Foglia selected Novvia as their partner, and look forward to continuing their customer-first legacy.”
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired the packaging division of JF Shelton, a Washington-based distributor of bottles, drums, IBCs, and other rigid packaging solutions.
The acquisition further bolsters Novvia’s presence on the West Coast and will be combined with Rhino Container, Novvia’s Chino, CA-based rigid packaging subsidiary, which Novvia acquired in December 2021. “The acquisition of JF Shelton Packaging Distribution adds to our already strong West Coast portfolio,” said Novvia Executive Chairman Ken Roessler. “We are pleased to have partnered with Ravago Chemicals to complete this complex carve-out transaction.”
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Northern Container, an Illinois based distributor of rigid packaging products serving a range of end markets.
The acquisition further strengthens Novvia’s presence in the Midwest territory, which includes C.L. Smith and Fox Valley, Novvia’s St. Louis, MO and Crystal Lake, IL rigid packaging subsidiaries. “We are looking forward to the continued success and expansion of our Midwest footprint and are excited to welcome Northern to the Novvia family,” said Novvia Executive Chairman Ken Roessler. “With the addition of Northern, we have augmented our breadth of capabilities and strengthened our leading customer value proposition,” added Roessler.
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Ocean State Packaging, a Rhode Island based supplier of plastic bottles and other rigid packaging products.
The acquisition marks Novvia’s entry into the New England market and represents a cornerstone of the company’s Northeast strategy. “Ocean State Packaging has built an impressive business over its 33-year history, and we welcome the company to the Novvia family,” said Ken Roessler, Executive Chairman of Novvia. “We look forward to investing in Ocean State’s markets as we grow our footprint of Northeast based employees, customers, and suppliers,” added Roessler.
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired JWJ Packaging, a New Jersey based supplier of drums, pails, and other rigid container shipping products.
The transaction represents Novvia’s third acquisition in the Northeast U.S., which the company has identified as a strategic, high-growth market. “In a short period of time, Mr. Guttridge and the JWJ team have built a leading local packaging supplier that shares Novvia’s customer-focused values,” said Ken Roessler, Executive Chairman of Novvia. “We are excited for JWJ to join forces with Rahway Steel Drum and the broader Novvia platform as we continue investing in high-quality markets alongside likeminded partners,” added Roessler.
September 2024
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has acquired Liquid Bottles, a Florida based supplier of plastic and glass containers and other rigid packaging products.
The acquisition supports Novvia’s existing position in the Southeast, expanding the company’s product breadth and enhancing its local market presence in this important, rapidly growing region. “Liquid Bottles has built an impressive business over its 10-year history, and we welcome the company to the Novvia family,” said Ken Roessler, Executive Chairman of Novvia. “We look forward to investing in the continued growth of the Company and further developing their e-commerce platform and extensive product line,” added Roessler.
January 2025
Global rigid container & life sciences packaging distributor, Novvia Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Saxco International, LLC (“Saxco”, or the “Company”), a leading provider of rigid packaging solutions to the beverage and food industries. Saxco offers a broad range of products, including glass, metal, and plastic containers and closures, alongside a suite of value-added capabilities.
“We are excited to join forces with Novvia to build upon Saxco’s rich history of customer service and deep expertise within our markets,” said JB Berry, CEO of Saxco. “From our first interaction with the Novvia team, we were impressed with the professionalism, fairness, and efficiency of the diligence process and their focus on ensuring that Saxco can operate as a growth platform for Novvia, supported by the benefits and resources of a larger organization. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated employees for their outstanding contributions to date. Together with Novvia, we are eager to execute on the opportunities that lie ahead.”