May 12, 2006 – Valley Forge, PA

      H.S. Crocker Co., Inc., the Huntley, Illinois-based manufacturer of specialty packaging for pharmaceutical and food & beverage markets, and the Koerber Medipak Group, the Hamburg, Germany-based provider of packaging systems for the pharmaceutical market, together announced a strategic partnership between H.S. Crocker’s Pharmaceutical Folding Carton division, located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and Rondo AG pharmaceutical packaging, based in Basel, Switzerland. Blaige & Company advised H.S. Crocker on the transaction.

      H.S. Crocker and Rondo AG together expressed their full commitment to strengthen and expand the continuing the success that the Valley Forge folding carton business has enjoyed in its 156 year history. As part of the strategic partnership agreement, ownership of the Valley Forge operation and facility was transferred to the new Rondo-Pak Inc., but H.S. Crocker’s/Valley Forge’s existing sales, and customer service organizations will remain intact. A key component of the strategic partnership is a strategic sales agreement between H.S. Crocker and Rondo-Pak, which ensures that Valley Forge’s customers continue to receive the highest levels of product quality and customer service. Although H.S. Crocker’s Exton, Pennsylvania pharmaceutical label operation was not included in the strategic partnership, it will work with Rondo-Pak to exploit joint opportunities between the two businesses.

      H.S. Crocker Co., Inc. is one of the oldest and most recognized names in packaging, having been established in 1856. Headquartered in Huntley, Illinois, with additional manufacturing in Exton, Pennsylvania, H.S. Crocker is a leading supplier of pressure-sensitive labels for pharmaceutical markets as well as portion pack lids for food, dairy and other markets. Recently H.S. Crocker has entered into a joint partnership in China where products will be produced for China and U.S. consumption. Over its 150-year history, Crocker has earned a reputation for developing the capabilities and culture needed to consistently supply high quality packaging products to leading food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer products manufacturers.

      Körber Medipak, is a leading European supplier of packaging systems for the pharmaceutical industry, and is a single-source supplier of turnkey packaging development and automation for all forms of medicinal products. Körber Medipak’s three subsidiaries, MediSeal GmbH, Dividella AG, and Rondo AG together provide a comprehensive packaging solution inclusive of packaging development, machinery, and materials. Rondo AG, based in Allschwil (Basel), Switzerland and with additional manufacturing in Pilsen, Poland, is a leading European manufacturer of standard and specialty folding cartons for the pharmaceutical industry. Körber Medipak is a Division of Körber AG, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, which is the management holding company for more then 30 independent companies that develop, produce and sell precision machines in the sectors of tobacco, paper, tissue and absorbent hygiene technology, machine tools as well as pharmaceutical packaging systems.