Chicago – November 04, 2026 -- Mesirow served as exclusive financial advisor to Canworks, Inc. in its sale to private equity firm Mason Wells. The release did not disclose financial terms.
Canworks operates five U.S. plants printing directly on aluminum cans
Brothers Ryan and Marshall Thompson founded Canworks in 2020. The company prints directly onto aluminum cans for beverage brands, co-packers, brokers and distributors. Its customers span energy, wellness, hydration, craft beer, CBD and cannabis, ready-to-drink cocktails, seltzers, ciders and kombucha.
Canworks runs facilities in Texas, Georgia, California, Missouri and Connecticut. It sells short-run flexibility, fast turnaround times, premium graphic design and technical support.
Mason Wells is investing from a $767 million buyout fund
Mason Wells has raised $2.4 billion across five independent buyout funds since its formation in 1998. It is currently investing from Mason Wells Buyout Fund V, LP, which totals $767 million. The Midwest-based firm focuses on four sectors: Consumer Packaged Goods, Outsourced Business Services, Engineered Products & Services, and Packaging Materials & Converting.
The Thompsons said Mason Wells' experience scaling businesses at similar inflection points should accelerate Canworks' mission.
Mesirow's packaging team has closed more than 225 deals in 25 years
Rick Weil, Melanie Yermack and Christopher Yike led the transaction for Mesirow. Weil and Yermack, Managing Directors and Co-Heads of Packaging at Mesirow Investment Banking, said the partnership "sets the stage for meaningful expansion."
Mesirow says it has completed more than 225 packaging transactions over the past 25 years, which makes it one of the most active advisors in the sector.