Polytarp ramps up its Food Wrap Business

By Lois Harris

Polytarp Products became a new associate member of Meat & Poultry Ontario (MPO) in 2021 because the company is looking to better understand the industry, grow its food products customer base, and provide safe, high-quality packaging products to meat manufacturing companies that need them.

“If you don’t understand the industry, it’s really difficult to develop a relationship with the customers and provide them with the products they require to get to market,” says Troy McCartan, Polytarp’s product manager. “Joining MPO was the best decision we made to really get a better understanding of who the companies are, what problems and issues occur, and what their pressure points are.”

The company makes vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal flow wrap, combo and tote liners, food grade polyethylene bags, gas flush barrier bags, freezer bags and food grade sheeting. It sells and ships products to more than 1,000 clients right across North America.

“Our service levels, our speed to market, the breadth of products we offer and our track record with longstanding employees who really know the business,” he says of the advantages the company offers.

Polytarp’s culture is familyoriented and there are many employees who have stayed with the company for decades. “We all look out for one another,” says McCartan, who joined the company seven months ago.

Based in North York, the company was established in 1957 and employs more than 100 people. It started its life as a tarp maker, and expanded its product lines into food, construction, agriculture, furniture and more.

Among the company’s advantages are its ability to customize products to client specifications, including different sizes, thicknesses and colours, as well as high heat resistance for increased production rates. Future orders can be stocked so that delivery can happen within 24 to 48 hours.

Polytarp works closely with customers to understand production processes and pinpoint what products would best fit the bill for clients.

Upgrades

Polytarp has invested heavily in new equipment for the food packaging industry to ensure the plastic film stands up to the demands of modern packaging technology. It bought a sevenlayer extrusion machine which, within four years, was running at full capacity. Another upgrade bumped up the layers to nine, which makes a higher barrier film that maintains the freshness of food through transportation and grocery storage. It also extends the shelf life of meat and poultry.

Recently, Polytarp also invested in a new three-layer line that will make lay-flat combo liners that will increase capacity and shorten delivery times.

The company is certified under ISO 9001, FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) 22000 and the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). Quality control is extremely important to the company, both with the raw materials coming into the plant and the finished product leaving the plant.

McCartan was able to attend the MPO’s 2021 Red Carpet Gala last fall, and he says that he could tell the industry is close-knit.

“They’re really a great bunch of people,” he says. “I’ve only been here for seven months, and I’ve met some of the best people in the food industry.”

The company is looking to grow, offer more products, acquire more customers, and work on being more sustainable.

“Sustainability is critical – we have a program, and we’re building it up by lowering our water consumption and reducing our scrap rate,” he says. “Wherever we can be more environmentally focused, we are.”

Throughout the pandemic, Polytarp was able to maintain a consistent supply.

“We’re able to ensure our customers don’t miss their deadlines because of products we supply to them,” McCartan says. “We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with MPO and to grow it in the future,” he says.