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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, April 15, 2022 – Fortis Solutions Group LLC, a leading provider of high impact printed packaging solutions and a portfolio company of Harvest Partners, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Anchor Printing based in Novi, Michigan. 

Anchor Printing is a flexographic and offset printing specialist providing shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and pressure sensitive labels across a range of industries including the paint, automotive, medical, food, beverage, health and beauty and chemical end-markets. 

Fortis President and CEO John O. Wynne, Jr. commented, “I have tremendous respect and admiration for the Weitz family and the nationally recognized business they have created, owned and operated for three generations. We are looking forward to working closely with the Anchor team and Andrew Weitz, who takes on a senior leadership position with Fortis as our President, Shrink and Flexible Packaging. We are very appreciative they have chosen Fortis to help continue their future growth, and bolster our core capabilities and talent across key product lines.” 

Anchor owner Andrew Weitz commented, “After 75 years of building Anchor Printing Company, we wanted to continue to grow our trajectory, while servicing our customers even better. When meeting with John and the Fortis team, we knew the synergies between the two companies could create something exceptional for years to come and expand the business to even greater heights. Our culture at Anchor was built on the commitment to quality, service, and hard work that was started by my grandfather and passed on to my father and myself, which I will carry on within the Fortis Family.”

Employing over 1,200 employees across eighteen manufacturing sites, Fortis intends to continue its pursuit of attractive acquisitions to further the breadth of product offerings and locations which can serve its customer base. 

For more information, or to contact a sales representative to learn more about how Fortis can make a difference for you, please call 1-844-FSG-LBLS or visit www.FortisSolutionsGroup.com. 

About Fortis Solutions Group
At Fortis Solutions Group, we provide a differentiated approach giving our customers a powerful advantage in the marketplace through industry leading lead times, quality control, color management and solutions-oriented approaches. We deliver a breadth of product offerings utilizing our outstanding flexographic, letterpress, offset and digital printing capabilities. These offerings include pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels, multi-ply coupon and flexible packaging printing, extended booklet printing, pouches, folding cartons, label applicators and variable data printing. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company also has manufacturing and sales offices in Austin, TX, Catoosa, OK, Ellington, CT, Flowery Branch, GA, High Point, NC, Kansas City, MO, Lewisville, TX, Marietta, GA, Memphis, TN, Merced, CA, Montreal, Canada, Napa, CA, Novi, MI, Orem, UT, Somersworth, NH, West Chester, OH, Whitefish, MT and Wixom, MI. 

About Harvest Partners, LP

Founded in 1981, Harvest Partners, LP is an established New York-based private equity investment firm that focuses on investments in middle-market companies in the business services & industrial services, consumer, healthcare, industrials and software industries. Harvest’s control strategy leverages the firm’s 40 years of experience in financing organic and acquisition-oriented growth. For more information, please visit www.harvestpartners.com. 

New year, new glow — at least, that’s what the skincare industry is banking on for 2022. And though countless brands are pushing their cleansers, toners, and creams, there is one quick-fix productconsumers can’t seem to get enough of: the face mask.

Check out the Instagram and Snapchat accounts of celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, Busy Philipps, and the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan, and you’ll see dozens of snaps and videos of their (already flawless) faces smothered in clays or covered in funky-looking sheets. In each post, the stars look relaxed, indulgent even, as they sit above cutesy captions talking about the importance of skincare and self-care rituals.

There’s a good reason why beauty influencers and consumers love applying (and sharing pictures of) their masking routines. Face masks are easy to use, come in a wide variety of price points suitable for every budget, and promise amazing results, ranging from anti-aging and wrinkle reduction to brightening and hydration.

While attaining visibly smaller pores in a single sitting is a definite perk, the benefits of face masks aren’t only skin deep. The production of multi- and single-use masks has boomed over the past decade, and according to a report from Persistence Market Research, the global market is expected to rake in approximately $10,500,000,000 (yes, billions) by the end of 2026. Now, that’s a number that can perk up even the most tired skin.

Of course, the beauty companies aren’t the only ones reaping the profits. The packaging industry is also poised to make a lot of money as companies continue to rely on innovative packaging to both preserve and market their products.

Market Research projects that bottles and jars will be used to package the majority of face masks on the market, providing packaging companies with ample opportunities to sell custom pressure sensitive labels perfect for making brands stand out on the shelves and online. As mentioned before, celebrities are gaga for face masks at the moment. The more attractive the packaging and product, the more likely it is that one of Hollywood’s big shots might sneak the label into a video or photo.

Branding is only one way to grab customer attention, though. More than ever, consumers are looking for relevant product information on their packages, including a list of ingredients, instructions for use, and expiration dates. Many “clean” beauty companies are also making their mark by printing which ingredients they don’t include in their products, such as sulfates, formaldehyde, and parabens, while also adding if the masks are certified organic and cruelty-free. Remember, customers are looking for more than just quick fixes; they’re also searching for products that are compatible with their lifestyles and values.

While bottles and jars aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, flexible packaging is rapidly gaining popularity with skin-care companies worldwide. This trend shift is primarily due to the rise of Korean beauty (commonly referred to as K-Beauty), which often relies on flexible packaging for its products, including an array of single-use face masks. Though relatively new to the U.S. market, K-Beauty has stunned consumers with its innovative products (we’re talking everything from run-of-the-mill clay masks all the way to bubble masks and snail-slime masks) and adorable packaging designs (you haven’t seen cute until you’ve seen a sheet mask shaped like a panda!). U.S.-based companies have taken notice, too, especially since K-Beauty is expected to make a whopping $7.2 billion on its skin-care lines alone by 2020.

K-Beauty owes much of its success around the world to its creative marketing and efficient, cost-effective, and beautiful packaging. Flexible packaging, which includes pouches and cosmetic sachets, provide the perfect vehicle for skin-care products that need to stay fresh from the production line and shipping facility all the way to a consumer’s home. As Standup Pouches notes, this is because flexible packaging contains many layers of thin, yet durable, plastics and foils that resist outside air and contaminants, allowing masks (cloth sheet and otherwise) to maintain the proper moisture levels.

Flexible packaging, though often not recyclable, is more sustainable than other packaging options, as well. Unlike bulkier packaging (jars, bottles, or boxes made from alternative materials), flexible packaging minimizes a company’s shipping costs and carbon emissions, thanks to its light weight and pliability. That’s great news for companies looking to ship out as much product as possible without exceeding their budgets and even better news for shoppers, who can stock up on their favorite facial goodies in a single trip to the store. Products that can make you look and feel better? Count us in!

Face masks are just the beginning, too. Many companies are starting to expand their brands and are exploring single-use masks (sold separately or in boxed bundles) for hands, feet, hair, lips, chests, and even pregnant bellies, meaning the demand for flexible packaging is only going to increase over time.

Interested in learning more about how beautiful, durable labels and flexible packaging can help your company expand its reach? Contact us by for recommendations and more.

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Advertising is a massive industry. This year, companies are projected to spend an estimated $231.81 billion in media ads to extend the reach of their products and amplify their brand recognition, according to Statista. That number can be alarming for the millions of companies and small businesses who don’t have the means or the desire to buy ad space online or through broadcasting networks. Thankfully, there’s another, often overlooked form of advertising that won’t break the bank. Chances are you’re already utilizing it! We’re talking, of course, about using packaging as a form of advertising.

Every day, millions of consumers browse their local grocery stores, beauty supply shops, boutiques, and more to find products that best suit their lifestyles. More often than not, these same consumers come across hundreds of products lining the shelves and, while they may have an idea of what they want to buy, they may not know which brand to select. One reason for this is that, more than ever, consumers lack a sense of loyalty to one specific brand. According to Inc, 73% of Millennials surveyed said that “brands have to work harder to secure their loyalty.” One reason for this is that individual products are no longer enough to secure repeat customers. Shoppers are now looking for brands and products that align with their values, are transparent, and use sustainable materials.

All of this may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be if brands invest time and energy into their packaging strategies. Here are some of the ways you can use packaging as advertising to your brand’s advantage:

Increase brand recognition

Another reason consumer loyalty may be dwindling is that there are so many options available. Ensure your brand is memorable by spending the time to design your package thoughtfully — after all, it’s likely the first thing a consumer sees when searching through the aisles.

That doesn’t mean you have to opt for neon colors and busy fonts, though. Packaging should reflect the brand’s overall aesthetic; it should be approachable, honest, and true to the brand. If your company favors minimalism and clean lines, mention that when you consult with a packaging company. The same goes for brands with a more maximalist bent and prefer bold patterns and eye-popping colors. Authenticity is key to courting and retaining customers who want to know they can expect quality products and visually appealing packaging from reliable brands.

 Materials matter

You probably wouldn’t buy snack mix wrapped in aluminum foil. Similarly, you wouldn’t grab a single-serve granola bar that came in a clunky cardboard box. The materials used to package your brand’s products are vital to catching consumer attention and keeping them as a customer.

When it comes to packaging materials, consumers care about a few key things: Convenience, protection, and sustainability.

What’s the point in purchasing something that’s inconvenient to access? When packaging a product, think realistically. Does this packaging make sense for everyday use? Would I be able to easily transport this product from the store or when I’m on the go? These are the questions consumers ask themselves before buying.

The convenience of use is also one of the primary reasons flexible packaging has become a more popular choice amongst consumers. According to “The Future of Flexible Packaging to 2022” report from Smithers Pira, the flexible packaging industry was valued at $219.5 billion in 2016, and its overall value is expected to increase to $282.6 billion by 2022. Flexible packaging comes in a range of styles — including bar wraps, stand-up pouches, flexible rollstock, stick packs, and cosmetic sachets — and uses a combination of thin films, paper, plastics, and aluminum foils to create protective barriers that can help extend a product’s shelf life.

Protection and barriers are essential for making your product stand out amongst the competition. Consumers value freshness, and they want to know that their product hasn’t been contaminated by any outside elements that could cause mold, bump up the expiration date, or otherwise render the product unsafe for consumption or use. If your brand sells snacks such as chips or nuts, consider packaging your product in a resealable pouch, which is both easy to transport and safe to use over an extended period. Similarly, opt for a sleek bar wrap if you’re selling single-serve protein bars.

Consumers also want to know that the packaging they’re buying is sustainable as they search for ways to reduce their carbon footprints and overall impact on the environment. Flexible packaging, though often not recyclable, has proven to be one of the most sustainable forms of packaging on the market because it’s lightweight, easy to produce in one set location (eliminating the need to ship between factories and lowering the overall carbon emissions released during the process), easy to transport, and can be made using recycled materials.

Show ‘em what you’re made of

Use your packaging to advertise all of the good things in your products. Consumers care about transparency, and they want to know what they’re ingesting and using on their bodies. Make some room on your packaging to share an ingredient list. Additionally, include anything that might differentiate your brand from another. Is your product certified organic or cruelty-free? Was it made using a special Amazonian clay or is it allergy free? Let people know!

Use packaging to tell your brand’s story

Your brand has a unique story to tell, whether you’re selling face masks or wholesome snacks. What sets you apart from the other brands on the market? Did your founder dream up the product while traveling, or was she inspired to create the product after noticing an absence in the market? Or, was there a more personal reason — a commitment to health, a desire to find a remedy for stubborn acne, a beloved pet — that inspired the product line? Adding a short blurb about your brand can give consumers a look into what you stand for and why they should feel confident trusting you with their needs. Flexible packaging pouches are perfect for Natural Foods, allowing your brand to speak while protecting the contents.

What next?

If you’re looking to boost your brand’s name recognition, start with your packaging. Fortis Solutions Group can help you customize your packaging to best suit your product and your brand values so you can advertise your greatest attributes with ease. Contact us via phone or email to learn more

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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, April 15, 2022 – Fortis Solutions Group LLC, a leading provider of high-impact printed packaging solutions and a portfolio company of funds managed by Harvest Partners, LP is pleased to announce the acquisition of Profecta Labels Inc. based in St-Hubert, Quebec.

Profecta Labels Inc. is a Canadian flexographic and digital manufacturer of labels and flexible packaging printing serving the industrial, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food and beverage end markets in North America.

Profecta owner Pierre Roberge commented, “For the past 30 years we have built an amazing company with an incredible group of people. I am thrilled and look forward to teaming up with John and the Fortis group for this new chapter and continue our growth.’’

Employing over 1,100 employees across seventeen manufacturing sites, Fortis intends to continue its pursuit of attractive acquisitions to further the breadth of product offerings and locations which can serve its customer base.

For more information, or to contact a sales representative to learn more about how Fortis can make a difference for you, please call 1-844-FSG-LBLS or visit www.FortisSolutionsGroup.com.

About Fortis Solutions Group

At Fortis Solutions Group, we provide a differentiated approach to giving our customers a powerful advantage in the marketplace through industry-leading lead times, quality control, color management, and solution-oriented approaches. We deliver a breadth of product offerings utilizing our outstanding flexographic, letterpress, offset, and digital printing capabilities. These offerings include pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels, multi-ply coupons, flexible packaging printing, extended booklet printing, pouches, folding cartons, label applicators, and variable data printing. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company also has manufacturing and sales offices in Austin, TX, Catoosa, OK, Ellington, CT, Flowery Branch, GA, High Point, NC, Kansas City, MO, Lewisville, TX, Marietta, GA, Memphis, TN, Merced, CA, Montreal, Canada, Napa, CA, Orem, UT, Somersworth, NH, West Chester, OH, Whitefish, MT and Wixom, MI.

About Harvest Partners, LP

Founded in 1981, Harvest Partners, LP is an established New York-based private equity investment firm that focuses on investments in middle-market companies in the business services & industrial services, consumer, healthcare, industrials, and software industries. Harvest’s control strategy leverages the firm’s over 40 years of experience in financing organic and acquisition-oriented growth. For more information, please visit www.harvestpartners.com.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | Fortis Solutions Group LLC, a leading provider of high impact printed packaging solutions and a portfolio company of Harvest Partners, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Label Tech Inc. based in Somersworth, New Hampshire.

Label Tech is an award-winning, ISO-certified flexographic and digital manufacturer of pressure sensitive, (including coupon, game piece and UL labels) and non-pressure sensitive labels and flexible packaging for the consumer product, food and beverage and health and beauty end markets.

Fortis President and CEO John O. Wynne, Jr. commented, “We are elated to acquire Label Tech, one of the premier flexographic and digital converters in the Northeast. This acquisition will further our geographic footprint and enable Fortis to provide additional products and solutions to our valued customers. I thank Pat Brady for entrusting us with the future of his company. We are looking forward to working alongside the outstanding Label Tech team.”

Label Tech owner Pat Brady commented, “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with John Wynne and Fortis Solutions. Our business philosophy is very closely aligned, and they are a very high-quality operation.”

Employing over 1,100 employees across sixteen manufacturing sites, Fortis intends to continue its pursuit of attractive acquisitions to further the breadth of product offerings and locations which can serve its customer base.
For more information, or to contact a sales representative to learn more about how Fortis can make a difference for you, please call 1-844-FSG-LBLS or visit www.FortisSolutionsGroup.com.

About Fortis Solutions Group
At Fortis Solutions Group, we provide a differentiated approach giving our customers a powerful advantage in the marketplace through industry leading lead times, quality control, color management and solutions-oriented approaches. We deliver a breadth of product offerings utilizing our outstanding flexographic, letterpress, offset and digital printing capabilities. These offerings include pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels, multi-ply coupon and flexible packaging printing, extended booklet printing, pouches, folding cartons, label applicators and variable data printing. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company also has manufacturing and sales offices in Austin, TX, Catoosa, OK, Ellington, CT, Flowery Branch, GA, High Point, NC, Kansas City, MO, Lewisville, TX, Marietta, GA, Memphis, TN, Merced, CA, Napa, CA, Orem, UT, Somersworth, NH, West Chester, OH, Whitefish, MT and Wixom, MI.

About Harvest Partners, LP
Founded in 1981, Harvest Partners, LP is an established New York-based private equity investment firm that focuses on investments in middle-market companies in the business services & industrial services, consumer, healthcare, industrials and software industries. Harvest’s control strategy leverages the firm’s 40 years of experience in financing organic and acquisition-oriented growth. For more information, please visit
www.harvestpartners.com.

NEW YORK, NY | October 15, 2021 – Harvest Partners, LP (“Harvest”) announced today that funds managed by Harvest, along with management, have acquired Fortis Solutions Group (“Fortis” or “the Company”), a best-in-class provider of specialty packaging solutions, from Main Post Partners, LP (“Main Post”). The Company’s management team, led by founder and CEO John Wynne, will continue to lead Fortis and remain significant owners of the business alongside Harvest. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, Fortis is a leading converter of pressure sensitive labels including multi-ply coupon and booklets, flexible packaging printing, shrink sleeves, folding cartons, and label applicators. The Company serves a blue-chip customer base across the food and beverage, health and beauty, retail, agricultural chemical, and nutraceutical end markets. Fortis has a full range of flexographic and digital printing capabilities across 15 manufacturing and sales offices across the United States. 

John Wynne said, “It’s been an incredible journey with Main Post Partners and I’m very appreciative and thankful to them for their outstanding contributions. Together with our great team at Fortis, we built the ‘One Fortis’ culture and growth vision which have allowed us to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. I’m very much looking forward to working alongside Harvest Partners as we further develop and accelerate the value-added offerings that we deliver to our customers.”

“We thank John, his outstanding management team, and all Fortis employees for helping to build an industry leader while generating substantial shareholder value, and we wish the Company continued success with Harvest Partners,” said Scott Bell, Partner at Main Post Partners. 

Michael DeFlorio, CEO and Partner at Harvest, and James Mitchel, Partner at Harvest, said, “We have admired Fortis’s tremendous success over the years and recognize their leadership position in the specialty packaging and labels markets. We are excited to partner with John and the Fortis management team to support the Company’s organic and acquisition growth initiatives in the coming years.”

Fortis has completed 13 acquisitions since 2014 and is actively seeking both tuck-in and transformational acquisitions in the pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeve, and flexible packaging markets.

BMO Capital Markets served as financial advisor and Morrison & Foerster served as legal advisor to Fortis and Main Post. Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal advisor to Harvest Partners. As part of the transaction, Michael DeFlorio, James Mitchel, and Andrew Hudelson from Harvest Partners will join John Wynne on the Board of Directors of Fortis.

About Fortis Solutions Group

At Fortis Solutions Group, we provide a differentiated approach giving our customers a powerful advantage in the marketplace through industry leading lead times, quality control, color management and solutions-oriented approaches. We deliver a breadth of product offerings utilizing our outstanding flexographic, letterpress, offset and digital printing capabilities. These offerings include pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels, multi-ply coupon and flexible packaging printing, extended booklet printing, pouches, folding cartons, label applicators and variable data printing. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company also has manufacturing and sales offices in Austin, TX; Catoosa, OK; Ellington, CT; Flowery Branch, GA; High Point, NC; Kansas City, MO; Lewisville, TX; Marietta, GA; Memphis, TN; Merced, CA; Napa, CA; Orem, UT; West Chester, OH; Whitefish, MT; and Wixom, MI. Employing over 950 employees across 15 sites, Fortis intends to continue its pursuit of attractive acquisitions to further the breadth of product offerings and locations which can serve its customer base. Learn more about Fortis Solutions Group: https://fortissolutionsgroup.com/.

About Main Post Partners, LP

Main Post Partners is a private equity investment firm focused on investing in proven growth companies across the consumer value chain. Main Post Partners invests in both majority and minority positions primarily in first institutional capital situations where founders, entrepreneurs and management teams are looking for an experienced partner to help build their companies to full potential. With a “Partnership, not Ownership” approach, Main Post Partners works closely with a network of successful executives to provide operational and strategic support to its management partners. Main Post Partners was named to Inc.’s list of The 50 Best Private Equity Firms for Entrepreneurs. Learn more about Main Post Partners: https://mainpostpartners.com/.

About Harvest Partners, LP

Founded in 1981, Harvest Partners, LP is an established New York-based private equity investment firm that focuses on investments in middle-market companies in the business services & industrial services, consumer, healthcare, industrials and software industries. Harvest’s control strategy leverages the firm’s 40 years of experience in financing organic and acquisition-oriented growth. For more information, please visit www.harvestpartners.com.