Mason Wells has completed its acquisition of Canworks, Inc. (“Canworks” or “the Company”), a digital printing provider focused on the beverage sector. Ownership will be shared by Mason Wells, the company’s founders and management team, and additional board members and co-investors.
Founded in 2020 by brothers Ryan and Marshall Thompson, Canworks provides direct-to-aluminum-can digital printing for beverage companies in high-growth segments, including energy drinks, wellness beverages, hydration products, craft beer, CBD and cannabis, ready-to-drink cocktails, ciders and seltzers, and kombucha. Its portfolio includes digitally decorated cans in multiple sizes, along with complementary products such as can ends and PakTechs.
Canworks sells directly to beverage brands and co-packers while also reaching customers through broker and distributor partners. The company supports brands seeking to respond quickly to food and beverage industry trends and evolving food and drink consumer trends with short production runs, rapid turnaround, flexible operations, high-end graphic design, technical assistance, and a more sustainable product offering. These capabilities support the wider evolution of food and drink packaging, food and drink marketing, food and drink sustainability, and food and drink industry innovation.
The company operates locations in Austin, Texas, where it is headquartered, as well as Atlanta, Georgia; Vista, California; St. Louis, Missouri; and Windsor, Connecticut. Its digital capabilities also align with broader food manufacturing trends, food processing technology, food distribution trends, and the changing requirements associated with food and drink regulations.
“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’ 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, together with Canworks’ management team, invested in the transaction alongside Mason Wells. Ally Corporate Finance arranged financing, and Quarles & Brady served as legal counsel to Mason Wells.
Additional information is available at the Canworks website: www.canworksprinting.com