Welch Packaging Group, Inc. has completed a merger with ABCOR Packaging of Cleveland, TN. Specific terms of this agreement were not disclosed.
Founded in 2007 by Ricky Sanders and Tom Cassada, ABCOR Packaging has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality corrugated products to the tri-state market in southeast Tennessee, northern Georgia and western North Carolina with personal service and a deep commitment to the community. Principal owners Sanders and Cassada describe ABCOR as “a local company with a local feel.”
Left to right: Scott Welch, Ricky Sanders and Tom Cassada.
“We are thrilled for ABCOR to join Welch Packaging and our sister plants in West, Middle, and Eastern Tennessee,” said Scott Welch, President and CEO, Welch Packaging. “This is a strategic region for us, and we look forward to serving customers with greater capabilities while providing ABCOR associates with more opportunities, as we leverage their talent and experience. Consistent with our desire to strategically expand our geographic footprint, our alliance with ABCOR Packaging is an example of partnering with outstanding independent packaging companies, led by strong leaders, so these businesses can continue to grow and flourish. As we welcome Ricky, Tom and their team into our family of companies, we congratulate them on their success and look forward to preserving their legacy of service and community engagement.”
Welch continued, “Our goal has always been to welcome independent, family-owned businesses into our network of companies in a way that continues to add resources and energy to their operation. These businesses have deep connections with their people, their customers, and their communities—and those relationships mean a lot to us. We work hard to make sure they stay strong.”
Sanders and Cassada commented, “As we evaluated strategic alternatives, it became obvious that ABCOR’s fundamental values aligned with Welch’s, including a shared focus on building strong relationships with customers, vendors, and associates, not to mention their amazing product and design capabilities.”
For ABCOR customers and associates, the merger underscores Welch’s commitment to serving the region with expanded capabilities and an exceptional associate experience. “This is an exciting time for ABCOR, our customers, and our associates,” added Sanders. “This transaction enables us to integrate with Welch’s sheet plant network and introduce a host of new product offerings including graphic packaging, digital printing and bulk laminating. In addition, our alliance with Welch will allow us to offer multi-color large-format printing, die-cutting and specialty gluing operations. We are delighted to join Welch Packaging and look forward to expanding our services with enhanced products and technology while providing even greater opportunities and purpose for our team.”
