American Packaging adds new building and presses

American Packaging Corporation, a top flexible packaging converter in North America, announces Board of Directors approval for a major expansion at the Flexographic Printing and Laminating Center of Converting Excellence in Story City, IA.

The company’s decision to move forward with another expansion project comes shortly after completion of a $10 million expansion earlier this year at the Iowa location and $18 million expansion at its Rotogravure Printing and Lamination location in Wisconsin the fourth quarter 2014.

Ray Graham, Operations Manager for the Iowa center, recently advised employees the company will spend approximately $45 million to expand operations to manage current influx of new business and prepare capacity for future needs. The newest project includes additional building construction, two custom built flexographic presses, a triplex laminator, a quad seal pouch line, as well as additional auxiliary equipment to satisfy increased demand. All equipment is expected to be operational by September 2016 and the expansion should create 94 new jobs.

The two new 10-color gearless presses are fully automatic with fast reliable changeovers, equipped with 100% defect detection, and are based on the latest technologies for improved production speeds and efficiencies.

The three pillars of sustainability will be incorporated into the expansion project by understanding all environmental, social, and economic aspects of the project. The company will identify opportunities to have a positive impact on energy efficiency and pollution prevention. By using local contractors and creating new job opportunities the expansion will have a positive influence on the community and the economy.

“American Packaging is a growth company not by mergers and acquisitions, but through reliable service to customers and continued investment in state-of-the-art equipment,” says President and CEO Peter Schottland. “We are confident in our position in the industry and are committed to expanding our business through strategic investment. This includes purchasing equipment with the latest advancements, investing in new technologies and attracting the best workers in the industry.”

American Packaging Corporation is a packaging solution focused company that is innovative, quality driven, and financially strong. The company is a privately held converter specializing in 10-color high definition flexographic printing, 10-color rotogravure printing, multi-ply extrusion, co-extrusion and adhesive lamination of film, paper, and foil.

The company has three non-union manufacturing Centers of Converting Excellence and a Packaging Innovation Center to effectively support several industries including dry foods, seasoning and mixes, coffee and tea, refrigerated dairy and fresh produce, frozen products, confectionary, medical, personal care, nutraceutical, hard to hold products, liquids, and other specialty items.