Film Processor Pregis Invests $17 million in Expansion
Firm announces name change to Pregis Films in light of 2015 acquisition
Pregis, Deerfield, Ill., has announced it will be spending about $17 million in its Grand Rapids, Mich. facility, which used to house the operation of Eagle Film Extruders. Pregis bought Eagle last year. Moving forward, Pregis will be known as Pregis Films.
The investment will be supporting expanded production space, as well as new flexible packaging manufacturing and converting equipment.
Eagle was a producer of high-quality mono- and multilayer blown film used for a variety of packaging applications. Its purchase by Pregis was driven by internal demand by its converting operation for additional high-quality film, as well as external flexible packaging opportunities.
Currently, the 90,000 ft2 Grand Rapids manufacturing facility houses four state-of-the-art multilayer blown film extrusion lines. Raising the roof at that location will enable a new installation—a five-layer Varex II line from Windmoeller & Hoelscher, Lincoln, R.I., which is expected to be operational mid-summer. The structural modifications, coupled with available floor capacity, can accommodate additional extrusion lines in the future as demand increases.
“We are seeing demand from industrial, ecommerce and other segments—such as flexible packaging—requiring higher quality materials. Investing in this facility will help us meet market segment expectations for package performance and provide vertical integration for some of Pregis’ other products,” notes Kevin Baudhuin, company president and CEO.
The company also will be installing converting and ancillary equipment used to produce flexible packaging into Pregis Films’ separate 70,000 ft2 converting facility. To support the increase in output, upgraded analytical testing equipment will be used to help customers meet their specific material performance requirements.
Pregis is also investing in storage silos and resin handling for anticipated future capacity needs. The Grand Rapids facility currently has 80 employees. Pregis Films expects to add 50 staff members at that location when the equipment is operational, the firm says.
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