The Board of Directors of Pacon Corporation would like to announce that the company has been purchased through a partnership with Pacon management and Mason Wells, a Milwaukee, WI-based private equity firm. Terms of the sale were not disclosed but include the business and equipment. The sale was completed in late October 2011.

Pacon is a leading supplier of specialty art and educational papers in North America. The company employs 450 people across six facilities in Wisconsin and one in Canada. Pacon’s CEO Jim Schmitz commented, “This is a positive move for the long-term growth of the company. The focus of our organization has been and will continue to be to provide value to our customers by delivering quality products, innovation, selection and service”. Schmitz continued, “We are excited because Mason Wells has a great track record of working with the management teams of packaging and packaged goods companies to create long term sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

Mason Wells is a leading Midwest-based private equity firm. Mason Wells also has current investments in Coating Excellence International, LLC of Wrightstown, WI and NEX Performance Films Inc. (the former Appleton Performance Packaging) headquartered in Milton, WI.

“Mason Wells is pleased to be partnering with Pacon’s management team to support the company’s growth initiatives,” said Tom Smith, Senior Managing Director of Mason Wells. “The company’s skilled workforce, low cost manufacturing capabilities, strong brands, talented sales and marketing organizations and experienced management team are all factors that have allowed the company to consistently meet the expectations of its customers. We believe the company provides an excellent platform for growth and is well positioned to capitalize on a number of new market and product development opportunities. The employees and suppliers of Pacon, as well as the communities of the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin, have played an integral role in the company’s success and will continue to do so in the future.”

Pacon Corporation is a manufacturer, converter and supplier of paper products, educational aids and arts & crafts products and markets its products worldwide. Pacon Corporation operates under the names Pacon Corporation, Strathmore Artist Papers™, Bemiss-Jason, Baywood ULC and Superior Specialties, Inc.