PPC Flexible Packaging acquires Israeli converter StePac, MAPfresh Holdings

Buffalo Grove, IL-based PPC Flexible Packaging LLC, a leading provider of custom flexible packaging, has acquired Tefen, Israel-based StePac, MAPfresh Holdings (StePac).

With the addition of StePac, PPC now operates 14 manufacturing facilities in Buffalo Grove, IL, Mission and Kansas City, KS, Rome, GA, Payson, UT, Pewaukee, WI, Colombia, South America, McKinney, TX, Columbus, and Alliance, OH, North Salt Lake, UT, Hartland, WI and Tefen, Israel. Its facilities are AIB, SQF level II and ISO-9001 certified. Founded in 2017 with its first acquisition, PPC provides high-quality products with best-in-class lead times to serve both emerging and recognized brands.

Founded in 1992 as a nylon-film extruder providing sterilizable packaging for medical and healthcare markets, StePac refocused its capabilities shortly thereafter to bring new and emergent technologies to developing fresh produce markets. Over the years the company has grown to become the globally recognized leader in post-harvest shelf life extension of high-value agricultural produce such as blueberries, cherries, pomegranates, melons, and various specialty vegetables.

Using extensive material science experience, its patented technologies create atmosphere and humidity-controlled packaging through roll goods, lidding and pre-made bags and pouches for bulk and retail applications. These capabilities ultimately lead to sustainable packaging solutions preventing food waste and product spoilage while providing expanded supply chain benefits. StePac operates through a network serving customers in over 40 countries and nearly every continent from its headquarters and R&D center in Tefen, Israel.

Kevin Keneally, president/CEO of PPC, says, “StePac has been a recognized technology leader in the boutique-produce market for many years. Through combining PPC’s existing portfolio of produce packaging, this acquisition will bring our mutual customers a much more diverse selection of options ultimately delivering industry leading sustainable solutions. We couldn’t be more excited to have [this] highly talented team of leaders and engineers join the PPC family.”