Former CEO buys Mark Andy

Mark Andy, a global leader in label and package printing equipment, has announced that an investment group formed by P J Desai, the former chief executive officer of the company and the current management team, has completed the purchase of Mark Andy from American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV, LP (AIP). AIP will continue as a minority investor in the company, along with Graycliff Partners, an independent investment firm focused on middle market investments.

25 Aug 2014 | By Dibyajyoti Sarma

As a pioneer in the label printing equipment space, Mark Andy has led the industry with award-winning breakthroughs in flexo printing technology and workflows, as well as a total solutions approach to driving profitability for converters around the world. Headquartered in Missouri, the US, the company has seen considerable growth in recent years with a focus on innovation and is poised to capitalise on the industry’s shift to digital inkjet printing in the form of its recently launched inline hybrid solution, the Mark Andy Digital Series.

“This was an outstanding opportunity to purchase an established and innovative company with a strong core business of equipment, consumable products and services for the label market, as well as several exciting new products in the pipeline, including our new Digital Series inkjet press,” Desai said. “Combined, there are over 10,000 Mark Andy and Rotoflex machines currently installed with a replacement value of over $1 billion. Together with our excellent management team, we are committed to growing Mark Andy’s already leading market position.”

Desai served as chief executive officer from 2012-2014. Prior to that, he was president and CEO of Abencs, an engineering and construction company, and MECS, a global leader in the design of sulfuric acid plants and related high performance products.

Kevin Wilken, chief executive officer, Mark Andy, said, “The management team is very excited to work once again with P J Desai and to be part of the ownership of such a great company. We have exceptional customers, market-leading products and services that drive improved profitability for our customers, and we have great people that love the industry and take great pride in their work.”