Midland Paper and Packaging, Wheeling, Ill., USA, announced yesterday (September 16) that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Shaughnessy, Kniep, Hawe Paper Co. ("Shaughnessy"), one of the oldest and most respected independently-owned paper merchants in the  U.S. Founded more than 135  years ago, Shaughnessy is a full-line, full-service merchant distributor of printing and writing papers, magazine and catalog papers, digital and specialty substrates, wide format graphics, graphic supplies, and packaging. The transaction is expected to close tomorrow (September 18).

"Shaughnessy has a long and distinguished history as one of the leading merchant distributors in the Midwest," said Stan Hooker, chairman and CEO of Midland. "We have known the owners and senior management of the company for many years and have the utmost respect for the quality of their organization and its people."

With more than 130 employees, Shaughnessy is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.,, USA, where it maintains its principal warehouse and administrative offices. The company also operates warehouses and sales offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"Shaughnessy is an excellent fit with Midland. Our two marketing areas are contiguous providing excellent logistical support for the divisions. Midland is strong in the packaging and publishing segments and we have extensive knowledge in wide-format graphics. Together we have a significant presence in commercial printing papers and have many of the same key suppliers", said Ed Kniep III, Shaughnessy, chairman and CEO.

"This strategic acquisition by Midland demonstrates our strong desire to grow both organically and through acquisition", said Mike Graves, Midland president and COO. "We look forward to adding the accomplished professionals at Shaughnessy to our existing Midland sales and support team".