Equity firm buys spirits packaging distributor Saxco

Private equity firm Atlas Holdings has acquired North American spirits packaging distributor Saxco International for an undisclosed sum.

Saxco offers a range of products and services including glass, metal and plastic containers, capsules, closures, custom packaging and mold development for the wine, spirits, craft beer and food markets.

Founded in 1936 by the Sachs family, Saxco was acquired by The Sterling Group in 2010.

The company serves more than 5,000 wineries, distillers, brewers and speciality food manufacturers across North America. In addition to product line and distribution capabilities, Saxco offers services such as packaging design and warehouse and logistics management.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Saxco to the Atlas family of distribution and manufacturing businesses,” said Sam Astor, partner at Atlas Holdings.

“Saxco’s proud heritage and sector expertise position the company well for sustained growth, particularly as specialty brands and craft producers gain market share across all beverage categories.

“There are eight times as many breweries in the US as there were a decade ago, and seven times as many distilleries. The number of wineries during this period has also continued to grow steadily.

“Saxco’s leadership team and dedicated workforce will now have the added capital and support to meet this growing demand by delivering value-added, superior customer service.”

Saxco CEO Guy Marsala added: “This exciting new partnership with Atlas signals the start of the next great chapter in the Saxco legacy.

“Atlas’ proven record of investing the human and financial capital to strengthen fundamentally strong businesses is a perfect fit for where Saxco is today. The future of our business got brighter today, and we’re thrilled to seize the many opportunities ahead.”