Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A activity notched its strongest month since PMCF began tracking the packaging space with 43 recorded deals in the month. October posted a 22-deal increase compared to September and a 9-deal increase from October 2023. Thus far in 2024, 270 deals have been tallied, expanding the year-over-year deal margin to 60 transactions. Pent up strategic buyer demand in August and September led to historic deal flow for this buyer group with financial buyers also providing above average transaction volume. October marked a strong start to Q4 for Global Packaging M&A, which is poised to round out one of the most active years on record.
- Rigid Packaging and Flexible packaging led deal volume in October posting 12 and 10 deals, respectively. These were substantial increases from September activity and October 2023 volume. Protective Packaging and Machinery & Distribution both posted modest increases from October 2023 while Paper and Printing & Labels saw minor declines in volume, but remained in line with 2024 monthly averages
- Strategic deal activity was the highest it has been in a month since 2017 and was well above the 2024 average of 13 deals. Demand from financial buyers in October surpassed year-to-date trends as well, with platform acquisitions doubling the 2024 average
- Foreign transactions had a strong October and have accounted for more than half of all activity in the year-to-date. Notably, domestic transactions also posted their highest monthly volume in 2024 with 15 transactions
- The Food & Beverage end market tallied only its second month of the year with double-digit volumes. Meanwhile, the Medical end market has recorded 10 deals in the last three months, consistently ramping its volume
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Biden-Harris Administration Opens Tariff Exclusion Process for Some Manufacturers (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/biden-harris-china-tariffs-exclusion-process-solar-equipment/730795/ - Is the Fiber Packaging M&A Surge Done? Probably Not. (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/fiber-packaging-consolidation-mergers-acquisitions-capacity/731110/ - Insights From the 2024 Packaging Recycling Summit (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/packaging-recycling-summit-2024/728280/ - As Plastics Treaty Debates Production Caps, a Look at Potential Impact and Implementation (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/plastics-treaty-and-production-caps-look-implementation-and-impact - U.S. Added 12,000 Jobs in October as Storms Sidelined Workers (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-october-unemployment-economy-f771b682?mod=jobs_news_article_pos2
Download Packaging M&A Update – October 2024
