Burgess Pigment Co. has completed its acquisition of Thiele Kaolin Company, combining two Georgia-based specialty mineral producers with significant exposure to the paper, packaging, coatings and industrial markets.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The deal brings together two companies with roots in Sandersville, Georgia, one of the world’s major kaolin-producing regions, and expands Burgess Pigment’s position across the specialty minerals value chain.

Combined Business Expands Kaolin Portfolio

Founded in 1946, Thiele Kaolin mines and processes kaolin, silica and related mineral products for customers worldwide.

Its products serve a range of applications, including coated paper, coated board, coatings, construction materials and other industrial products.

Burgess Pigment, founded in 1948, specializes in hydrous and anhydrous kaolin products used in paints and coatings, wire and cable, adhesives, inks, construction materials and other industrial applications.

By bringing the businesses together, the companies expect to offer customers a broader portfolio of mineral products alongside expanded technical and research and development capabilities.

The acquisition also gives the combined organization mining, processing and specialty-product capabilities serving multiple industrial markets.

Paper and Packaging Remain Important End Markets

Kaolin has a long-established role in the paper and paperboard industry, particularly in applications where mineral pigments are used to support properties such as surface characteristics, print performance and optical appearance.

Thiele’s existing exposure to coated paper and coated board therefore makes the transaction particularly relevant to the pulp, paper and packaging supply chain.

The companies said the combined portfolio will help them respond to changing customer requirements for product performance, supply consistency and sustainability.

Sandy Burgess, president of Burgess Pigment, said the acquisition supports the company’s strategy of developing a more vertically integrated and differentiated specialty minerals platform.

“Together, we will be better positioned to meet customer demand for consistent supply and to offer a broader range of high-performance solutions,” Burgess said.

The company also plans to continue investing in its employees, operations and innovation capabilities.

Both Companies Retain Their Existing Leadership

The transaction creates a new ownership structure rather than simply absorbing Thiele into the existing Burgess Pigment corporate entity.

Following completion, Thiele Kaolin and Burgess Pigment are both wholly owned subsidiaries of a newly formed holding company controlled by Burgess Pigment’s existing shareholders.

Sandy Burgess will continue as CEO and president of Burgess Pigment, while Eric Tillirson will remain president of Thiele.

The companies have not announced additional changes to their brands, production sites or workforce as part of the completed transaction.

Deal Builds Larger Specialty Minerals Platform

The acquisition combines businesses founded only two years apart and headquartered in the same Georgia kaolin region, but with complementary product portfolios and market exposure.

For customers in paper, board and other mineral-intensive industries, the significance will depend on how the combined company integrates its production network, technical expertise and product range.

No financial terms, combined production capacity or expected integration timetable were disclosed.

The transaction nevertheless creates a broader specialty minerals platform spanning kaolin mining, mineral processing, functional pigments and silica products, with operations serving customers in the U.S., Europe and international markets.

Burgess Pigment Co. is a Sandersville, Georgia-based producer of hydrous and anhydrous kaolin products for coatings, wire and cable, adhesives, inks, construction materials and other industrial applications.

Thiele Kaolin Company is a producer of kaolin clay, silica and related mineral products serving paper, paperboard and other industrial markets worldwide.

Last Updated on 27/08/2026 by Jota Machinery