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Packaging companies announced footprint expansions in the last month for a variety of North American facilities. Several will manufacture plastic packaging, such as thermoforms or foam, while others are focused on corrugated fiber.
- Engineered Foam Packaging plans to grow its operations in Lee County, South Carolina, to boost production capacity for expanded polystyrene as well as expanded polypropylene solutions, including protective and cold-chain packaging. The $31.5 million investment will go toward adding 200,000 square feet to an existing facility in Bishopville, where operations are expected to begin in April 2026. The project will create 57 new jobs.
- Forming Technologies, a thermoformed products manufacturer, is expanding its facility in Muskegon, Michigan, due to a “significant increase in business over the last several years,” according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The anticipated capital investment of up to $18.8 million is expected to create 70 new jobs. The building will be at least 150,000 square feet, and it will also house the company’s headquarters.
- Graphic Packaging International is moving forward with its proposal to build a warehouse and parking lot next to a recycled paperboard mill in Kalamazoo, Michigan, according to MLive. The company presented a plan to the city’s zoning board in December. A key component is that the company will consolidate four local warehouses into this one facility. The project is scheduled for completion in 2028.
- Karat Packaging, which largely focuses on food service packaging, signed a lease for a 187,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Chino, California. This will nearly double the current distribution capabilities in Chino and will be near the company’s headquarters. The extra space will allow Karat to add approximately 500 new SKUs of paper products, the company projects.
- Morris Packaging, which specializes in flexibles, intends to build a new $60.9 million plant in Lebanon, Kentucky. The more than 100,000-square-foot facility will boost the company’s printing and bag converting capacity. Construction is slated for completion in October, and the project will create 276 new jobs.
- Nefab opened two new facilities, one in Guadalajara, Mexico, and another in Austin, Texas. The 58,000-square-foot Guadalajara plant is the company’s second there. It doubles the capacity to produce thermoforms such as trays and cushioning solutions for clients in sectors such as automotive, electronics and lithium batteries. The Austin site is an engineering and customer experience center for developing and testing industrial packaging. The $2.5 million facility houses equipment for prototyping and performance evaluation under real-world conditions. The company says customers are welcome on site there for collaboration on customized products.
- Paragon Films also is expanding in Mexico. The Oklahoma-based stretch film manufacturer is making its first foray into that country with the purchase of a new facility in San Luis Potosí. The facility will service Mexico, Central America and South America, and it is expected to be fully operational by December.
- Saica Group, based in Spain, is adding to its U.S. presence with a more than $110 million investment in a new facility in Anderson, Indiana. The nearly 350,000-square-foot plant will produce corrugated fiber packaging and will have warehouse and office space. Construction on the factory is scheduled to begin next month, and operations are expected to start up in the fourth quarter of 2026. Saica expects to create more than 50 new jobs within the first two years, which it projects will swell to 100 when the plant fully ramps up in a few years.
