Babson Capital Management announced it provided subordinated debt and made an equity co-investment to support River Associates Investments’ investment in Rose City Printing & Packaging Inc.

Babson Capital was the sole provider of subordinated debt on the transaction.

Founded in 1945 and based in East Vancouver, WA, Rose City is an independent folding carton manufacturer and a premier supplier of printed folding cartons to West Coast food and beverage manufacturers.
“River Associates is pleased to work with Babson Capital on the Rose City investment," said Craig Baker, partner for River Associates. "Their access to a substantial capital base will be very helpful as we seek to grow Rose City through strategic add-on acquisitions of similar industry participants."

“Babson Capital is excited to partner again with River Associates on the Rose City transaction,” said Mike Klofas, managing director and head of Babson Capital’s Mezzanine & Private Equity Group. “With its excellent service and manufacturing capabilities and the substantial resources provided through this investment, Rose City is well-positioned for aggressive growth in existing and new markets, and we look forward to participating in its success.”

Founded in 1989, River Associates is a Chattanooga, TN-based private equity partner for management teams in change-in-control transactions of lower middle market companies.

Babson Capital Management and its subsidiaries serve institutional investors around the globe and have over $154 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2012. Babson Capital is a member of the MassMutual Financial Group.