Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, James L. Villa Inc., to EasyPak LLC, a platform company of Graham Partners. The acquisition closed April 1, 2019.

James L. Villa, based in Oldsmar, Florida, is a third-generation family business with a respected presence in the food packaging industry. The company specializes in injection-molded and thermoformed packaging items, which are made of F.D.A. approved materials. Some of its products include deli party platters, shrimp rings, cookie trays and fruit bowls.

EasyPak is a leading thermoformed packaging provider focused on serving the healthy and natural food categories. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, the company has extensive intellectual property, a history of innovation, and state-of-the-art operations. Among other value-added capabilities, the company drives differentiation through its sustainable packaging products made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials.

The addition of James L. Villa enables EasyPak to strategically grow into the Southeast while providing additional customization capabilities and scale to EasyPak’s business.

Graham Partners initially acquired EasyPak with the intention to build a top tier mid-sized thermoformer and has acquired three subsequent complementary targets, putting the company on its way to reach this goal.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director David Fergusson and Senior Managing Director Julie Sandoval’s team, led by Barry DeWitt, successfully closed the deal. Executive Managing Director Edward Weber established the initial relationship with James L. Villa.

“I’m excited about EasyPak expanding its platform to include James L. Villa, which adds new capabilities and products as well as some additional key customers,” said DeWitt.

“It will be interesting to watch the two companies as they combine their business talents and grow their thermoformed platform presence within the grocery channel in the southeastern U.S.”

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