ProAmpac Recognized at 2024 AmeriStar Awards
ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging and material science, won recognition at the 2024 AmeriStar Awards, securing two wins in the Sustainable Packaging category and contributing to a third recognition for an innovative e-commerce solution. The accolades showcase ProAmpac’s dedication to sustainability and innovation with the RAP Sandwich Wedge for Sammi’s; ProActive Recyclable RP-1000 Paper Series for Marks & Spencer’s organic potatoes; and the insulated paper bag known as ProActive Recyclable FiberCool.
“The recognition by AmeriStar reflects our relentless pursuit of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions,” said Chad Murdock, president of the fiber division at ProAmpac. “We’re honored to have our efforts acknowledged, especially as we continue to advance in areas like the fiberization of packaging that contribute to a more circular economy.”
Developed for Sammi’s grab-and-go sandwiches, the high-barrier RAP Sandwich Wedge, with a premium shelf appearance, utilizes a fiber-based carton board with a transparent window. This innovative solution employs modified atmosphere packaging, optimizing product preservation and visibility while maintaining very low oxygen levels for extended shelf life and decreased food waste.
“Our technical team is at the forefront of fiber packaging innovation across diverse markets,” said Lynsey Maddison, director of product development at ProAmpac. “We are committed to advancing these technologies to help our customers achieve more sustainable packaging solutions. As we continue to explore new applications and improvements, our goal remains to drive impactful, eco-friendly advancements in the industry.”
In addition to these two awards, ProAmpac contributed to a win in the Packaging that Saves Food category with the ProActive Recyclable FiberCool, an insulated paper bag for e-commerce delivery. This fiber-based, curbside-recyclable solution replaces a bulky traditional multi-package system, reducing packaging weight and drastically enhancing thermal retention.
“Our work on FiberCool exemplifies how we can innovate to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging without compromising on performance,” said Ray Recchia, global innovation manager at ProAmpac. “By improving thermal insulation, we help reduce food spoilage and waste, giving customers more flexibility with their groceries after delivery,” adds Recchia.
As ProAmpac continues to innovate, it remains dedicated to enhancing sustainability and product performance. For more information on ProAmpac’s award-winning packaging solutions, visit ProAmpac.com or contact Marketing@ProAmpac.com.
ProAmpac is a leading global flexible packaging company with a comprehensive product offering, providing creative packaging solutions, industry-leading customer service and award-winning innovation to a diverse global marketplace. ProAmpac’s approach to sustainability – ProActive Sustainability – provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. We are guided in our work by five core values that are the basis for our success: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, Involvement and Impact. Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and co-investors. For more information, visit ProAmpac.com or contact Media@ProAmpac.com.
Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products and services sectors. The firm’s differentiated, long duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.
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good2grow Launches Its Biggest National Sweepstakes
good2grow, a leading beverage and snack brand for kids, is helping families embark on a mess- and meltdown-free travel season with the revival of the On the Road campaign. For the third year, the campaign will stir up smiles with its biggest national sweepstakes yet, digital resources for families heading out on their road trip adventures and a partnership with Make-A-Wish Georgia to grant wishes.
Parents can enter the sweepstakes at good2growontheroad.com starting May 13 through July 22 for a chance to win weekly and grand prizes. One winner will be selected each week during the entry period to win a $50 Visa eGift Card to use on gas or activities during their trip and the Ultimate Road Trip Kit that offers everything a family needs for a joy-filled journey, including a kids’ tablet, cooler, plenty of good2grow swag and an assortment of kids’ favorite character-topped, mess-free products: Juices, Bigger, Milk and Snackers.
good2grow will also award two winners a grand prize package – valued at over $3,000 – including the Ultimate Road Trip Kit, a $2,000 hotel eGift Card and a $500 Visa eGift Card to use on gas or activities.
“As a children’s brand, we understand the challenges of keeping little ones calm and entertained during travel,” acknowledged Gunnar Olson, CEO of good2grow. “Our third annual On The Road campaign embodies the core values of good2grow, focusing on giving back and making smiles.”
Through a partnership with Make-A-Wish Georgia, Atlanta-based good2grow will sponsor two families’ road trips to their chosen dream destination of Walt Disney World. To celebrate the families’ upcoming road trips, good2grow will host send-off parties where each family will receive their very own Ultimate Road Trip Kit.
“We’re committed to giving every family the opportunity to create magical memories,” remarked Edzra Gibson, vice president of brand marketing. “Road trips give us our most cherished family moments, and we’re delighted to renew our collaboration with Make-A-Wish Georgia and spread joy throughout our Atlanta community.”
To learn more about good2grow, visit good2grow.com and follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
good2grow inspires kids to eat and drink healthier with an innovative line of better-for-them beverages and snacks. The brand makes smiles for parents and kids alike by combining fun and nutrition, with hundreds of collectable 3D character tops from the hottest names in children’s entertainment, including Disney, Universal, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros and many more. Parents love that the packaging is reusable, dishwasher-safe, recyclable and BPA-free, and that the products contain no artificial colors or flavors. good2grow is available nationally at retailers including Target, Walmart, Kwik Trip, Walgreens and CVS. For more information on the brand and to find a store near you, visit good2grow.com and follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Make-A-Wish Georgia creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, we deliver hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. We aim to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1995, Make-A-Wish Georgia has granted wishes to children in our local community, contributing to the more than 350,000 wishes granted throughout the U.S. and its territories. For more information about Make-A-Wish Georgia, visit georgia.wish.org/help.
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Seven & i Holdings Rebuffs Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
The chair of Seven & i Holdings, Stephen Dacus, says the board is rejecting the offer from Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. to buy the company for a reported $39 billion. Dacus released this letter:
Regarding the matter announced in the “Seven & i Holdings Comments on News Reports Regarding Acquisition Proposal” dated August 19, 2024, where we received a confidential, non-binding acquisition proposal from ACT, the Board of Directors of Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. has today sent the following letter to ACT (Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.) responding to the proposal.
Dear Alain:
I am writing on behalf of the board of directors of Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd (“7&i”) to follow up on our phone conversation earlier today and to officially respond to your confidential, non-binding and preliminary proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of 7&i for US$14.86 per share in cash.
As I shared with you in my message of August 15 acknowledging your proposal, the 7&i Board promptly formed a Special Committee comprised solely of independent outside directors to review your proposal. I have served as chair of the Special Committee. The Special Committee, assisted by our financial and legal advisors, conducted a careful and comprehensive review of your proposal over the course of multiple meetings.
I want to emphasize that the 7&i Board is single-mindedly focused on delivering value for 7&i shareholders and other stakeholders. We are open to sincerely consider any proposal that is in the best interests of 7&i shareholders and other stakeholders; however, we will resist any proposal that deprives our shareholders of the company’s intrinsic value or that fails to specifically address very real regulatory concerns.
After a thorough review and discussion of your proposal, the 7&i Board has unanimously concluded, based on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, that the proposal is not in the best interest of 7&i shareholders and other stakeholders. We are open to engaging in sincere discussions should you put forth a proposal that fully recognizes our standalone intrinsic value and addresses our concerns regarding certainty of closing in the current regulatory environment. However, we do not believe, for several critical reasons, that the proposal you have put forward provides a basis for us to engage in substantive discussions regarding a potential transaction.
First, the Special Committee believes that your proposal is opportunistically timed and grossly undervalues our standalone path and the additional actionable avenues we see to realize and unlock shareholder value in the near- to medium-term. The 7&i business is a unique asset and strategically positioned within the global convenience store sector. The Board is confident that it can realize and unlock shareholder value through a number of strategic actions, including but not limited to our U.S. business, that we are actively pursuing.
Second, the 7&i Board believes that even if you were able to improve the value element of your proposal very significantly, your proposal does not adequately acknowledge the multiple and significant challenges such a transaction would face from U.S. competition law enforcement agencies in the current regulatory environment and provides no certainty to closing. Beyond your simple assertion that you do not believe that a combination would unfairly impact the competitive landscape and that you would “consider” potential divestitures, you have provided no indication at all of your views as to the level of divestitures that would be required or how they would be effected. Your proposal also does not indicate, for example, the timeline you believe would be required to clear regulatory hurdles, or whether you would be prepared to take all necessary action to obtain regulatory clearance, including by litigating with the government.
Third, while you acknowledge the crucial role that 7&i plays in everyday life in Japan across food retail, banking and other services, this is clearly an area that would require further discussion should we reach that point.
As we discussed, although we would have preferred to keep both your proposal and our response private and confidential, given that the fact of your proposal is already in the public domain, in the interest of transparency with our shareholders and other stakeholders, we are making this letter public.
Thank you for your interest in 7&i. As I mentioned when we talked, I’m available to answer questions you may have.
Sincerely,
/s/ Stephen Dacus
Stephen Dacus
Chair, Special Committee
Chairman of the Board
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