Packaging Powerhouse Curwood Turns “50”

Source: Meredith Lauer, Marketing Communications Manager

Date: 10/1/2008

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Now known around the world for its technological leadership in flexible and thermoformed packaging, Curwood got its start in a small, rented garage extruding polyethylene film for the meat and cheese industries.

Curwood Turns 50

Oshkosh, Wisconsin - September 30, 2008 - The packaging industry looks a lot different today than it did in 1958, but one thing hasn't changed: Curwood, Inc., is still innovating and investing to meet evolving market needs. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008, Curwood is now one of the world's premier providers of flexible and thermoformed packaging for the food, beverage and consumer products industries.

"Our focus on innovation and material science has fueled Curwood's growth and made us a leader in our markets," says Jim Ransom, President of Curwood. "We're proud to be able to serve our customers and help them grow with the latest packaging advances and next-generation technology. We would like to thank our customers for their confidence in Curwood as a partner."

Although Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based Curwood currently has state-of-the-art locations throughout North America, South America, Asia and Europe, it got its start in a small, rented New London, Wisconsin, garage. At the time, area businessmen Howard Curler, a chemical engineer, and Bob Woods, a mechanical engineer, set out to launch their own flexible packaging business. Their vision was to develop polymer extrusion technology to make the finest flexible packaging possible for meat and cheese. Their plans began to take shape with a single machine and their first product-polyethylene packaging films. In 1962, the young company added vacuum-packaging equipment to their offering to complement their high-performance materials.

It didn't take long for the innovative startup to grow into an attractive investment-Bemis Company purchased Curwood just seven years after its founding. Bemis, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2008, provided support and resources to help Curwood grow and invest in new technologies to meet the emerging needs of its meat and dairy customers.

Throughout the years, Curwood engineered packaging advances that improved the way meat and cheese-and many other products-went to market.

"Curwood's entrepreneurial style and industry leadership is a direct reflection on our founders and has been carried forward by a great group of employees," says Ransom. "Many thanks to the extended Curwood family."

The company's flexible films, rigid packaging, shrink materials and equipment are used throughout the meat, cheese, coffee, bakery, beverage and consumer products industries. Curwood is part of Bemis Company, the largest flexible packaging supplier in the Americas.

For more information, call Curwood customer service at (800) 544-4672, email curwood@bemis.com, or visit www.curwood.com.