New Canaan’s Gridiron Capital invests in Phoenix’s Royal Paper

Gridiron Capital LLC has announced an unspecified investment in Royal Paper, a private label consumer packaged goods company providing a broad range of tissue products to blue chip customers both in the “at home” and the “away from home” markets.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Royal Paper”™s products include bath tissue, paper towels, napkins and facial tissue composed of both premium virgin pulp-based products and environmentally friendly recycled tissue products.

As part of the new partnership, Royal Paper and New Canaan-based Gridiron announced Kevin Otero as Royal Paper”™s new CEO. Otero has held multiple roles at Procter & Gamble, including most recently vice president of global operations. Additionally, Sunil Kanuga has been named chief operating officer and Samir Kanuga has been promoted to chief financial officer.

Royal Paper co-founders Bob Sarraf and Sep Dardashti will serve as members of the board of directors; the latter will continue to lead, support, and mentor the company”™s sales organization.

“We are impressed with Royal Paper”™s dedication to consistent quality, reliability and its ability to meet its customers”™ needs in a flexible manner,” said Gridiron Managing Director Will Hausberg, “and we look forward to working with the owners and existing management team to build upon its success and further enhance the company”™s customer relationships over time.”