Santa Barbara, CA – Be Green Packaging LLC (“Be Green” or the “Company”), a leader in the rapidly growing sustainable packaging sector, has been recapitalized by The Riverside Company (“Riverside”). FocalPoint Securities, LLC (“FocalPoint”) served as exclusive financial advisor to BGP.
Founded in 2007, Be Green is a designer and manufacturer of authentic sustainable and plant fiber based compostable packaging solutions. The Company’s unique Cradle to Cradle™ certification and 100% tree-free packaging platform offer a fully sustainable alternative for companies in the food service and consumer packaged goods industries. Increased consumer and legislative demand for sustainability has driven retailers, restaurant and brand owners, and corporations alike to evaluate new and innovative ways to minimize their carbon footprint. This growing shift toward environmental awareness has enabled Be Green to play a leading role in the development and implementation of sustainable products and practices for some of the world’s most recognizable consumer brands.
Riverside plans to help Be Green accelerate growth by investing heavily in U.S. manufacturing, expanding the Company’s sales and marketing efforts, and continuing to invest in research and product development.
Ron Blitzer, Founder and Co-CEO of BGP stated “We sincerely appreciate FocalPoint’s dedication to finding us the ideal partner to provide our company with the necessary capital and resources as we look to take the business to the next level. FocalPoint’s in-depth understanding of our business and industry and expert guidance through the transaction were paramount to us achieving the best outcome for our shareholders and for our business.”
Founder and Co-CEO Robert Richman added “Be Green is pleased to see that our next phase of growth will be with The Riverside Company. There comes a time in every Company’s lifecycle when a new partner can shed light on how best to meet the growing needs and challenges of a business moving forward. We are pleased to be working with such a diverse company as Riverside. The team at FocalPoint really understood our company and was very engaged in the world of sustainability and helped us select what we feel is the perfect partner.”
Nishen Radia, Managing Director at FocalPoint commented, “We are very pleased to have been able to help Be Green partner with Riverside, and thank Ron and Robert for the opportunity to advise them through this process. We have built an expertise around working with companies focused on the environment and sustainability and Be Green is at the forefront of this growing movement. Riverside identified that trend from the outset and strove to not just value it appropriately but also to provide a differentiated operational perspective that will ensure that Be Green maintains its strategic leadership in this growing industry for the foreseeable future.”
“Sustainability is no longer a luxury,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “Customers and retailers are demanding or requiring green materials, and Be Green Packaging has a proven track record of meeting that growing demand.” Riverside Partner Joe Lee added “This is a high-growth industry, and Be Green Packaging has the tools and dynamic capabilities to enjoy the long-term trend toward sustainable packaging. “The company already serves a variety of blue-chip customers in numerous verticals, and has shown an ability to innovate while providing savings for its customers.”
About The Riverside Company
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing middle market businesses valued at up to $250 million. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 320 transactions. With more than $3 billion in assets under management and over 200 professionals worldwide, Riverside is one of the largest and oldest middle market private equity groups. The firm’s international portfolio includes more than 70 companies.
About FocalPoint Securities LLC
FocalPoint is an independent investment bank with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private placements (both debt and equity), and special situations. For more information on FocalPoint Partners, visit www.focalpointllc.com.
Please contact Nishen Radia at 310-405-7040 or Mike Del Pero at 310-405-7005 with any questions about this transaction.