Preferred Packaging and Crating Inc., a Phoenix, Ariz., USA-based manufacturer of packaging products and supplies, has become part of the Minneapolis, Minn.-based Liberty Diversified International (LDI) family of companies.

Preferred Packaging (PP) will continue to operate under its well-established brand name, manufacturing corrugated, wood, and foam packaging solutions. PP is the most diverse packaging materials manufacturer in Arizona, and serves customers in the aerospace, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer goods markets. The company also offers custom design services for point-of-purchase displays and sophisticated packaging.

Mike Fiterman, LDI’s chairman and CEO, said that "this transaction with Preferred Packaging builds our packaging industry power in the southwest U.S., expanding our ability to serve customers in this region."

PP will become part of LDI’s Packaging South Group, headquartered in the San Diego, Calif., area under the leadership of LDI VP Bob Walton. PP’s co-owner, Mike Eagleton, will join the LDI team and help provide continuity to PP customers and employees during the business transition. Mike’s wife and fellow co-owner, Andi Eagleton, will also remain with the company.

Fiterman said that "like our firm, PP is a family-owned business with like-minded approaches to taking care of customers, employees, and the community."

Mike Eagleton noted that "in LDI, we found a partner that shares our business values, a crucial element to our decision-making in this transaction."

According to Andi Eagleton, "it was very important to us that our employees would continue to be employed and have long-term growth opportunities. LDI, a 100-year-old company, offered both."

PP’s approximately 70 employees will be offered employment with LDI. The current primary manufacturing plant, about 11 miles west of Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix, will remain in operation under a lease arrangement. The facility covers approximately 175,000 sq. ft. LDI’s profile as a premier player in the packaging industry continues to expand, with facilities in Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas, California, the Quad Cities area, Mexico, and now Arizona. Because each of the companies are privately held, the purchase price was not disclosed.

Liberty Diversified International is a privately-held family of businesses with more than 1,800 employees operating in the following industries: paper and packaging; furnishings and organization products for the office; and building and architectural products. With roots in the corrugated fiberboard business, the company was founded in 1918 (100 years ago) and is headquartered in the Minneapolis suburb of New Hope. To learn more, visit the LDI web site.