M&A Deals Grow in Packaging Industry
Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the North American and global packaging industry continues to show signs of growth, according to a new study from BMO Capital Markets Packaging Group.

In its sixth annual report, Mergers and Acquisitions in the Packaging Industry: 2010 Annual Deal Review, the financial services provider examines M&A trends in the packaging industry over the last several years. Among the highlights of this year's study:

• Global deal volume increased 35 percent from 2009 levels to 227 packaging transactions;  
• M&A activity strengthened across all regions of the world, with North American activity increasing 18 percent to 79 transactions;   
• Strategic acquirers accounted for most global M&A activity, with 63 percent of 2010 deal volume; and  
• Private equity acquirers accounted for most North American M&A activity, with 58 percent of 2010 deal volume.

 "The challenging conditions that plagued the M&A market in 2008 and 2009 began to improve in 2010," Doug Lawson, managing director and head of the BMO Capital Markets Packaging Group, said in an announcement of the report. "Both strategic and financial buyers began to resume acquisition activity in 2010 and are expected to remain active in 2011, as a result of improving conditions in the overall economy and the credit markets."