Mason Wells Acquired Aluminum Can Printer Canworks

Private equity firm Mason Wells has purchased Canworks Inc., which prints directly onto aluminum cans for beverage brands.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Consumer Goods

Mason Wells Acquired Aluminum Can Printer Canworks

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Private equity firm Mason Wells completed its acquisition of Canworks Inc., an aluminum can printing company serving the beverage industry. The Austin-based firm operates five facilities across the United States.

Why it matters

The acquisition marks a consolidation play within the beverage packaging sector as private equity interest in niche printing services persists. This deal brings together a Milwaukee-based investment group and an operator that specializes in direct-to-can printing technology.

Canworks Inc. currently maintains 5 operating facilities across the country, growing from its inception in 2020. The transaction involves the full corporate acquisition of the company by Milwaukee-based private equity firm Mason Wells.

The players

Mason Wells

A Milwaukee-based private equity firm that acquires and manages middle-market businesses.

Canworks Inc.

An Austin-based printing firm that provides direct-to-aluminum can services for beverage brands.

Ryan Thompson

Co-founder of Canworks Inc. who established the business in 2020.

Marshall Thompson

Co-founder of Canworks Inc. who established the business in 2020.

The details

Canworks Inc. focuses on direct printing onto aluminum cans, a specialized segment of the beverage packaging supply chain. The company maintains an operational footprint spanning Austin, Atlanta, Vista, St. Louis, and Windsor. Mason Wells takes control of this network as the private equity firm moves to integrate the business into its portfolio.

2020: Canworks Inc. was founded by Ryan Thompson and Marshall Thompson.
October 14, 2026: Mason Wells announced the acquisition.

Market Landscape

This deal aligns with the broader trend of private equity firms consolidating niche manufacturing suppliers to build scale in specialized packaging sectors. It follows an industry pattern of moving into highly technical printing services that serve growing regional beverage brands.

Beverage brands utilizing Canworks Inc. should verify if any procurement processes or contact points change following the transition to private equity ownership. Operators in the packaging space should monitor if this ownership change leads to expanded service offerings or pricing adjustments at the company's five facilities.

The takeaway

Operational continuity is the primary concern for clients when specialized suppliers are acquired by private equity firms. Brand owners should review their service-level agreements and reach out to account managers to confirm no immediate changes to production timelines or invoicing occur during the integration period.