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History
1977
The development of Winpak from its inception as a single manufacturing facility
in 1977 until
the present day has been accomplished through both organic growth and acquisitions.
This growth was driven through continued and relentless focus on the proven strategy
of the established market and geographic framework of Winpak's expertise. Winpak is
fundamentally committed to ongoing technical advancement and the development of new
packaging concepts within a low-cost manufacturing environment. With this commitment,
Winpak grew from the single facility in Winnipeg, Canada, to nine specialized production
sites across North America.
1980
Winpak, from the sole facility in Winnipeg, Canada establishes a respectable
position in the North American modified atmosphere packaging market, a specialty sector
of the flexible packaging market demanding advanced manufacturing technology.
1988
By 1987, Winpak identified the need to expand the product range to ensure the
company continued as a supplier to the larger North American food and beverage companies.
At the beginning of 1988, Winpak acquired 80 percent of Flex-On, Inc., now operating
as Winpak Films Inc., and in 1989 acquired the remaining 20 percent. Winpak Films has achieved a strong market
position based on unique technology and a strong commitment to the customer. The two
blown film production facilities manufacture specialty materials utilizing state-of-the-art
multilayer extrusion lines that strengthened Winpak's position in niche film markets.
1992
In 1992, Winpak acquired the packaging business of PNG Products Inc., one of
North America's premier converters of flexible packaging materials. The facility in
Toronto operated from this location as Winpak Technologies.
1993
In 1993, Winpak acquired three rigid
plastic packaging manufacturing facilities from Consumer's Packaging.
Winpak Portion Packaging produces single-serve
and portion-controlled packaging for food and beverage applications, employing flexible
lidding materials, thermo-formed rigid containers and filling machines.
Manufacturing has been subsequently
realigned and Winpak Portion Packaging now operates with two manufacturing locations;
Chicago, Illinois and Toronto, Ontario, along with an administrative office in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
1996
Winpak acquired the W.A. Lane companies in 1996, a California-based manufacturer of packaging machines
and formed Winpak Lane. The San Bernardino, California plant produces and distributes equipment
worldwide to the food, dairy, health care and cosmetics industries utilizing flexible
and semi-rigid packaging materials. Winpak Lane is the recognized leader in the design
of packaging machinery used for liquid and semi-liquid products.
1997
Winpak Heat Seal Packaging was created in 1997 from the acquisition of Heat
Seal Packaging Inc. of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec. The company is an integrated manufacturer of heat-sealable
membranes and die-cut lids for the food, beverage, dairy and healthcare industries,
completing Winpak's existing offering of rigid food containers and machinery.
1998
In 1998, Winpak established a new operating unit, American Biaxis Inc., with
a 51 percent owned joint venture with Nichimen, now Sojitz Corporation, of Japan to
manufacture and distribute biaxially-oriented polyamide (BOPA) film in the Americas. The manufacture
of BOPA material adds to Winpak's offering in the modified atmosphere packaging market.
2002
In 2002, Winpak acquired the assets of Webkote, a market leader in die-cut
foil lidding, and now operates in Illinois as Winpak Heat Seal
Corporation. The combined lidding production of the two Winpak Heat Seal manufacturing facilities make
Winpak the largest foil lid supplier in North America.
2005
Winpak sold the assets of the printed, paper bag business operated at Winpak
Technologies in Toronto, Ontario. The plant was closed at the end of the year. The non-paper products manufactured at the plant
were consolidated into other Winpak facilities.
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