Industry Watch

Companies

Ranpak announced the North American launch of AutoFill, a high-speed, fully automated, end-of-line packaging system that optimizes void-fill dispensing and maximizes throughput.

Hamrick Packaging Systems, Inc. broke ground on a new 63,500-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Brimfield, Ohio.

Multivac signed a collaboration agreement with packaging machine manufacturer Italianpack, expanding its product portfolio in the tray sealer sector.

A $10.8 million gift from Amcor to the Michigan State University School of Packaging will establish an endowed faculty position focused on sustainability and support renovations to the School of Packaging building.

Beckhoff Canada opened an office in Burnaby, BC, that offers increased space for training, sales, and support in western provinces and will house an XPlanar motion lab. Also, Beckhoff USA appointed Steve Rastberger Regional Director – Eastern U.S. and hired Ryan Dusk as Northeast District Sales Manager.

NCC Automated Systems was acquired by ATS Automation Tooling

Systems Inc.

C-P Flexible Packaging acquired privately held Fruth Custom Packaging, Inc. and affiliated company Cleanroom Film and Bag, Inc. located in Placentia, Calif.

Heat and Control constructed a new facility in Lancaster, Pa., expanding its North American presence.

Lifoam Industries, LLC, a business segment and subsidiary of LifeMade Products LLC, announced the commercial launch of its Envirocooler insulated shipper with Bioffex technology.

People

Robert Pyle was named President, CEO of Graham Packaging.

Denis Adam was appointed Regional Sales Manager for the Western and Midwestern U.S. for NJM.

Pregis announced new commercial leadership roles for its expanded blown film operations: Russ Joseph, Vice President of Sales; Beth Scherpenberg, Vice President of Sales Operations; Chad Perre, Vice President of Technology; and Jonathan Quinn, Director of Market Development and Sustainable Flexible Packaging. It is also investing $80 million in a new, state-of-the-art blown film extrusion facility in Anderson, S.C.

Pasha Solel joined Michelman as Senior Business Development Manager, focusing on Michelman’s flexible packaging market.

Jordan Brown was appointed Outside Sales Manager, Aftermarket Solutions for Allpax.

Michael Reed joined Spartech as VP, Business Management, M&A & Sustainability, and Jiang Li was promoted to Technology Manager for Spartech’s Innovation Center.

Gareth Meese was appointed Regional Sales Director-EMEA for Eriez.