Columbus, Wisconsin — February 03, 2020 — American Packaging Corporation (APC) has been converting flexible packaging since 1902 and enters 2020 with a robust growth and investment tempo. Facility expansions, sharpening the pre-press and engraving processes, adding more roto and flexo presses, a coex-coater/laminator, adhesive laminators, specialized pouch makers, and expanding facility automation are all on deck for completion in 2020.

Two purpose built converting plants were commercialized in 2018. These Centers of Excellence added significant capacity, provided greater operational flexibility and redundant security for customers. It’s time to grow again. Three facility expansions will be ready in 2020. This growth will once again translate to more jobs for APC communities in Iowa, Wisconsin and New York State. Supporting APC’s fundamental commitment to corporate responsibility, each of these investments will see improvements in safety and energy use.

Progress Throughout the APC Converting Footprint:

Roto: A world-class roto cylinder engraving system engineered for superior quality results and enabling greater cost control with faster response times for customers has just been installed. To satisfy growing demand, new rotogravure printing presses that are purposefully designed to efficiently process recyclable substrates at full speeds without compromise will be brought on-line in 2020.

Flexo: APC’s unique Flexo H/E Experience comes on-line in 2020 creating a holistic printing ecosystem. APC Flexo H/E provides customers with transparent and comprehensive access to a combination of best-in-class technologies that deliver a consistently superior and repeatable print product and experience from run to run. Best-in-class plate making & mounting architecture delivers the optimal foundation. The system includes a transparent on-press experience with advanced production equipment and expertise. Customers enjoy an expanded level of access and visibility to the entire process. The APC flexo press fleet will grow again in 2020. The 2020 additions to the APC Flexo Press Fleet finds >½ of the flexo presses to be less than 4 years old.

Laminating: New laminators bring incremental adhesive and coex extrusion laminating and coating capabilities and build capacity. A new coater laminator with a multi-layer coex die will enable barriers to be engineered into duplex laminations or coatings and provide customers with additional options to satisfy goals for recyclable packaging.

Pouch Making: As in 2018 and 2019, APC continues to expand pouch making capabilities in 2020. State of the art lines producing flat bottom and double side gusset pouches will be added. An expansion in Story City, Iowa will create The APC Pouching Center of Excellence.

Facilities Automation: In 2020 APC will be extending the factory automation infrastructure that fulfills the flow of work-in-process materials and manages finished goods inventories in two centers.

Community Involvement/Philanthropy: American Packaging Corp. recently renewed its funding support to Rochester Institute of Technology with a gift of $1 million to its Packaging Science program. Funding from the long-time corporate benefactor will support the American Packaging Corp. Center for Packaging Innovation, a comprehensive teaching, research and testing laboratory, located in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology. The partners will also continue to work in the Center for Sustainable Packaging toward innovative flexible packaging solutions, the development of sustainable packaging materials, and in providing relevant educational opportunities for students in the growing packaging industry.

For more information, press only:

Cindy Ingebritson
+1 515 689 6426