Milwaukee-based private equity firm, Mason Wells, has announced that it has closed on the acquisition of Canworks, Inc, a leading digital printer for the beverage industry. The company will be owned by Mason Wells, the founders and management and other board members and co-investors.

Canworks is a direct-to-aluminium-can digital printer serving beverage brands across high-growth categories such as energy, wellness, hydration, craft beer, CBD and cannabis, ready-to-drink cocktails, ciders and seltzers, kombucha, among others. The company’s offering includes digitally printed cans of various sizes and related products such as can ends and PakTechs, which are sold directly to brands and co-packers as well as through broker and distributor sales partners. Canworks delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions that beverage brands need to stand out in competitive markets – fast turnaround times and operational agility, short-run flexibility, premium graphic design, technical support, and an environmentally sustainable product offering. The company operates five facilities in Austin, Texas (headquarters), Atlanta, Georgia, Vista, California, St. Louis, Missouri and Windsor, Connecticut. Canworks was founded in 2020 by brothers Ryan and Marshall Thompson.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Mason Wells and continue the company’s growth,” said Ryan Thompson, CEO of Canworks.

Marshall Thompson, president of Canworks, went on to say, “Our goal was to bring in a partner with significant experience scaling similar businesses at similar inflection points as Canworks. Mason Wells brings that in spades along with a dedicated focus on investing in the success of Canworks’ people and customers. That cultural alignment was extremely important to Ryan and me, and we look forward to continuing Canworks’s growth alongside Mason Wells.”

“Canworks is a special company with a customer-centric culture that’s unmatched in the industry,” said Damon Thome, managing director at Mason Wells. “We are thrilled to partner with Ryan and Marshall and the highly talented group of individuals at Canworks who are committed to delivering the best aluminum can decorating solutions to the beverage industry. Canworks’ geographic reach, technical excellence, and dedicated sales and support team make it an ideal addition to the Mason Wells family. We look forward to investing in the company’s continued growth while maintaining the high levels of service and collaboration that Canworks is known for.”

Ryan and Marshall Thompson and Canworks’ management team invested alongside Mason Wells. Ally Corporate Finance provided financing for the transaction. Quarles & Brady represented Mason Wells as legal counsel.