Rainier Partners, a private equity firm based in Seattle, WA, today announced the acquisition of JS Ag Packaging (“JS Ag”) by Calpine Containers (“Calpine”), a Rainier portfolio company.
Headquartered in Bakersfield, CA, JS Ag provides packaging distribution, labeling, and design services primarily to agricultural customers throughout California. Calpine is one of the largest West Coast packaging distributors serving the agriculture industry.
Jeff Smith, founder of JS Ag, will join Calpine and oversee inner packaging sales for the combined business. “My team and I are thrilled to join the broader Calpine organization. Our two businesses have a long history of mutual respect. This combination enables us to provide a single source for all our customers’ packaging needs, while maintaining the same focus on customer service and dependability that has allowed both companies to flourish independently.”
“JS Ag’s product offerings and customer service ethics will allow us to provide even more extensive products and services to our customers,” said Walt Tindell, Chief Executive Officer of Calpine. “I’ve worked alongside Jeff and his team in this industry for decades and have great respect for the business they’ve built. I am excited to join forces and work together to capitalize on our shared vision for growth.”
Commenting on the transaction, Alex Rolfe, Managing Partner of Rainier, said: “Calpine and JS Ag fit together remarkably well. The combined platform stands to benefit from significant cross-selling, product expansion, and geographic expansion opportunities.”
“Since our partnership with Calpine began earlier this year, the leadership team and company have exceeded our expectations,” added Jon Altman, Managing Partner of Rainier. “We look forward to continuing to support Calpine’s growth for years to come.”
