TricorBraun, a St. Louis-based packaging company, said it acquired Pacific Bag LLC, one of the largest independent U.S. distributors of flexible packaging. The company will combine Pacific Bag with its existing flexibles business, Taipak, to create TricorBraun Flex, a new business unit focused on flexible packaging. The newly created division will continue to operate out of existing locations in Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary, Toronto and Philadelphia.

“This is an important day for TricorBraun and a natural step in our evolution,” said Court Carruthers, president and CEO, TricorBraun. “The acquisition of Pacific Bag further bolsters our presence in the flexibles space, building on our acquisition of Taipak.”

According to TricorBraun, acquiring Taipak was the company’s first move into flexible packaging in its 117-year history. Pacific Bag, which serves more than 4,500 customers in 50-plus countries from multiple locations, will further expand TricorBraun’s reach in the flexibles business. Pacific Bag’s executive team, including CEO Mark Howley, will remain with TricorBraun.

“Our business has grown over the years to help customers all over the world, and by joining TricorBraun we are confident the combined business will become a stronger supplier,” Howley said. “Our product line will expand and our ability to meet the demands of the market will dramatically improve.”