Sharp packaging expands again

John J. Kuzckowski, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Sharp Packaging Systems, Inc. (Sussex WI), announced that the Company has moved its sales offices and shipping operations to its new building at N62 W22632 Village Drive, Sussex. The building was acquired from A&V, Incorporated on April 2, 2001 and has since been renovated to accommodate Sharp's expanding needs. The new building is adjacent to Sharp's existing main plant facilities on Sussex Road.

Marvin Hansen of The Ogden Company assisted the buyers with the purchase of Sharp's latest building acquisition. Kurt Van Dyke of James T. Barry Company, Inc. represented the sellers.

Sharp, a leader in the flexible packaging industry serves the domestic hardware, electronic, and medical industries among others. Kuzckowski said Sharp Packaging's continued success and growth is due to its value priced, high quality products and packaging automation that help to reduce labor costs and increase packaging production efficiency for it's customers. Continued growth gave rise to the need for a new facility opened in West Allis in June 1999. That acquisition was the first part of a major expansion project that increased overall capacity by 30%.

The newest building adds another 32,950 square feet and will be used primarily for warehouse and shipping. The building also includes approximately 5,600 sq. ft of office space for Executive, Sales, Marketing and Shipping offices and a Machinery show room and demonstration area. The Company has recently made substantial investments in

additional blown film extruding and bag converting equipment to increase its production capacity in Sussex.

Paul and Virginia Scarberry started Sharp Packaging in 1984. Sharp expanded on a once-exclusive process building its own converting machines that make a continuous rolls of plastic bags, that are pre-opened on one side. The Company's pre-opened roll style E-Z Bags enable Sharp's customers to automatically load and package their products quickly and easily increasing packaging production efficiency.

Sharp designs and manufactures plain and printed E-Z Bags to customers' unique requirements including specially engineered films developed for improved performance. Sharp is a "systems" manufacturer. To improve packaging efficiencies and reduce labor costs for its customers, Sharp offers a full line of bagging equipment to compliment Sharp's E-Z Bags. Sharp also prides itself with expert customer service professionals who respond to customers' needs when the need exists, with focused attention, and follow through.

Sharp Packaging Systems, Inc. supplies bags and bagging machinery to such satisfied local customers as Harley Davidson, Brady Corporation, and Allen Bradley. E-Z Paintr packages its products in Sharp retail display bags and Twinco's gallon bottled fluids use Sharp's eye catching stretch sleeve labels.

Every customer has it's own unique packaging requirements. Sharp embraces even those projects that other companies might view as a packaging challenge. Companies like Vaportek whose need is to trap oils and fragrances, or Kleen Pack who requires bags that "breathe" to extend the shelf life for its cole slaw, rely on Sharp to simplify and economize their packaging applications. Trane uses bags developed by Sharp that are made from film with a corrosive inhibitor that protect products from oxidation, and the local U.S. Postal Services applauds Sharp for its durable mailer bags that have barrier and privacy properties and are tamper resistant.

Sharp is vertically integrated. Sharp manufactures its own film, prints and converts printed and plain film into its E-Z Bags. Sharp can manage the customer's projects from start to finish all in house, another cost savings. Sharp's Arts and Plates Department makes its own plates to ensure high quality graphics, and Sharp's press department can print 6 colors and up to 120 lines per inch. Sharp has process printing capability for high impact retail display applications.

Earlier this year, Sharp was recognized by the Printing Industries in Wisconsin by receiving the Wisconsin's "Badger" award for flexographic printing excellence and two additional state awards for excellence in printing.

Today, Sharp Packaging employs approximately 150 people, many of whom have been with Sharp over 10 years, and have been instrumental in the company's growth. The Company has added approximately 36 people since the expansion project was initiated in 1999. The Company draws employees from the far reaches of surrounding counties with its friendly working environment and generous benefits package. Sharp's growth has helped its employees enjoy the security of corporate stability, and opportunities through training and continued education and personal growth. Management has always sought to identify, promote, foster and reward the innovators within the Company. This philosophy attracts quality people. As Sharp likes to say, "A sharp idea, with sharp people, producing a sharp product".

Sharp Packaging Systems, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. For more Company information, please visit the web site at www.sharppackaging.com, or call 262-246-8815.

Source: Sharp Packaging Systems, Inc.