# 308 - Everything you wanted to know about Private Equity, M&A with Mesirow

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2025-03-19
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/308-everything-you-wanted-to-know

## Summary

Melanie Yermack, Rick Weil, and Nitay Laor from Mesirow discuss the current state of mergers and acquisitions in the packaging industry, emphasizing that private equity remains a dominant force despite economic uncertainty. They explain that successful exits require long-term preparation, focusing on clear market positioning, sustainable cash flow, and strategic investments in automation and technology. The guests highlight the resilience of the sector through recent crises like COVID-19 and inflation, while noting that tariffs and extended EPR laws are creating new complexities for business owners planning their exits.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=0) Introduction and Guest Backgrounds
- [3:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=231) The Role of Private Equity in Packaging
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=663) Defining Success and Legacy in M&A
- [13:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=783) Long-Term Client Relationships and Timing
- [16:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=1014) Preparing Businesses for Sale: Financials and Positioning
- [21:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=1261) Impact of AI, Automation, and Technology
- [28:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-03-19-308-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-private-equity-m-a-with-mesirow#t=1700) Market Outlook: Tariffs, EPR, and Future Activity

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Mesirow (company)
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (company)
- Trayak (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Building a High-Value, Buyer-Ready Manufacturing Operation w/ Renita Wolf](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-01-13-building-a-high-value-buyer-ready-manufacturing-operation-w-renita-wolf) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Exit Planning for Manufacturing Leaders and How to Protect Your Legacy w/ Amy Julian and Bryan Graiff](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-05-20-exit-planning-for-manufacturing-leaders-and-how-to-protect-your-legacy-w-amy-jul) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Electronica 24: M&A Special, Strategic Insights, Geopolitics and Trends with Shaan Tharani](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-11-electronica-24-m-a-special-strategic-insights-geopolitics-and-trends-with-shaan) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Global Strategies and M&A Trends: A Conversation with Lincoln International's Chaim Lubin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-05-08-global-strategies-and-m-a-trends-a-conversation-with-lincoln-internationals-chai) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Options for Ownership Transitions in Manufacturing w/ Chris Redmond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-04-options-for-ownership-transitions-in-manufacturing-w-chris-redmond) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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