Fullerton’s Ropak to Buy Michigan Firm

Ropak Corp., a Fullerton maker of plastic shipping containers, has agreed in principle to acquire the operations of a Southfield, Mich., distributor of plastic shipping and storage containers for $3.3 million in cash.

William H. Roper, Ropak’s chairman and chief executive, said his company would also spend $1.3 million to expand the product line of the Michigan firm, J.I.T. Corp. He said Ropak would borrow the total $4.6 million under its bank line of credit.

For the deal to progress, Ropak must complete its review of J.I.T.’s financial condition, and Ropak directors must approve the acquisition. The Fullerton firm said it expects to acquire J.I.T. from co-owners Denny Foy and Charles Baughman within 30 days.

J.I.T., which employs six people, distributes molded plastic bulk bins, mainly for industrial uses. The bins can be collapsed to one-third of their height for empty return shipment.

J.I.T., formed in 1984, contracts the manufacture of its products with companies that manufacture custom plastic moldings.