UPM Raflatac, one of the world’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive labelstock, will acquire Gumtac, the Brazilian labelstock coating and slitting business of BIC Group. Gumtac is located in Rio de Janeiro and employs approximately 35 people.

Commenting on the investment, Jouko Lähepelto, Senior Vice President, Americas & Asia Pacific said UPM Raflatac has in recent years developed a widely recognized brand in Brazil. Through its distribution terminal in Jaguariúna, São Paulo, the firm has served key customers in this rapidly growing market, said Lahepelto.

He further stated that Gumtac’s well-managed operation will give UPM Raflatac an excellent platform to extend its product offering and further support its customers’ growth in the region.
UPM Raflatac, part of UPM’s Engineered Materials business group, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive label materials. UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 11 factories on five continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. UPM Raflatac employs 2,400 people and made sales of approximately US$1.5 billion in 2010.

The date of closing for the acquisition is subject to obtaining appropriate licenses from local authorities.

UPM Raflatac supplies pressure sensitive labelstock. UPM Raflatac’s labelstock products are designed to meet the needs of demanding applications in a vast array of end-uses. The firm has factories and sales offices on five continents.

BIC Group, LLC is a third party, multi-boutique, active distribution sales firm employing a national wholesaling team designed to raise substantial assets on behalf of represented asset management companies. The Firm strives to provide “best-in-class” service in all facets of its business.

The Firm distributes open-end mutual funds, closed-end mutual funds and separately managed accounts under sales agreements with unaffiliated asset management partners and national and regional broker/dealers and financial institutions. The Firm exclusively provides active sales and distribution services and does not offer statutory distribution services or hold customer securities.

BIC Group, LLC serves as the sole member for BIC Distributors, LLC, a registered Broker-Dealer and BIC Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. The firm distributes open-end mutual fund, closed-end mutual fund and separately managed account relationships to retail and institutional advisors through financial intermediaries including, but not limited to, U.S. brokerage firms, private banks, registered investment advisors, financial planning firms and family offices. The firm is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.