Ward Adhesives, Inc., a portfolio company of Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, and Applied Products, Inc. have completed a strategic merger. Applied Products and Ward Adhesives are both distributors of specialty adhesives and technology for the packaging, industrial, and printing industries.

We Deliver Distribution News to Your Inbox Sign up below to receive MDM Update, your free weekly distribution news update by email.

Minneapolis-based Applied Products is a provider of complete assembly and process solutions, focusing on incorporating adhesives, dispensing equipment, assembly automation, production tools and engineering into one resource. Applied Products serves a wide variety of industries including packaging, paper converting, product assembly, medical, and graphic arts.

“By combining two successful and professional organizations like Applied Products and Ward Adhesives, we will be able to provide our customers and markets we serve with the most innovative Adhesive Optimization Solutions in North America,” said Dan Horner, CEO of Applied Products.

“We are very excited about the combination of two very strong, customer focused businesses. Aligning our organizations will expand our geographic reach, and further strengthen the value we can provide our customers, our suppliers, and our employees,” said Brian Webb, Applied Products’ COO. Both Horner and Webb retain significant equity positions and leadership roles in the combined entity.

Founded in 1988, Ward Adhesives is a national distributor of specialty adhesives for the packaging, product assembly, and graphic arts industries. Headquartered in Pewaukee, WI, the company provides its customers with products, technologies, and services to address a broad range of adhesive applications.

Doug Moore, CEO of Ward Adhesives, said: “This complimentary merger of two industry-leading organizations will only expand the value proposition we provide to our customers and the growth opportunities for our suppliers and employees.”