Anchor Packaging,the 8th largest plastic packaging thermoformer in North America, is celebrating its first 50 years in business with a rich heritage of rapid growth, quality and financial stability. At a time when the U.S. thermoforming industry is undergoing dramatic consolidation and isolated bankruptcies, Anchor Packaging remains as a successful, privately-held entity with a strong balance sheet.
The company began operation in 1963 as a converter of plastic film and expanded operations in 1978 to include thermoforming, sheet extrusion, and blown film. In 1985, a new manufacturing facility was constructed in Paragould, Arkansas to accommodate the thriving thermoforming business. As business continued to grow at a rapid pace, the facility was expanded several times until it reached its current capacity of 310,000 sq. ft. Recognizing the need to provide multiple manufacturing sites for both contingency planning and supply chain efficiency, Anchor has since acquired manufacturing sites in Mount Vernon, KY (165,000 sq ft) and Jonesboro, AR (423,000 sq ft). To accommodate its film business, Anchor operates a 230,000 sq. ft. production facility in Marmaduke, Arkansas.
Anchor has made several strategic acquisitions over the years including Innovative Plastics, the MicroLite division of Amoco, the BonFaire division of Placon Corporation, Mount Vernon Plastics (MVP) in Mt Vernon, KY in 2012, and in February 2013, a Jonesboro, AR manufacturing and warehousing facility. The Borden Chemical's film operation acquisition in Argentina (130,000 sq ft) has allowed Anchor to broaden its exposure in Latin America, as well as serving Europe and Asia from that location.
North American shipments are primarily handled through a 45-acre distribution center (700,000 sq ft) in Paragould, AR which consolidates products to provide a single centralized ship point. However, the company utilizes a total of 4 DC’s to accommodate the needs of manufacturing and to provide specialized service to key customers. Anchor facilities currently total more than 2 million square feet.
The seeds planted in 1963 have grown into a thriving company with strong roots in extrusion, thermoforming, injection molding, blown film, printing, and trim-in-place technologies. We look ahead to the next 50 years, as we continue to expand in existing markets and pursue opportunities to reach new markets. Our mission has been, and remains, to continually delight our customers. The company is well positioned for a virtually-unlimited horizon of new product possibilities and we expect to continue our legacy of meeting customer requirements with innovation and packaging solutions that make them successful.