Anchor’s Newest Innovation Helps Foodservice Choose to Reuse – and Create
Breakthrough Sustainability that Reduces Packaging Waste.

(St. Louis, MO) September 28, 2023. Recognizing innovation that appeals to today’s consumers and best meets their changing needs, Convenience Store News awarded Anchor Packaging’s new reusable packaging line, ANCHORWARE® REUSABLES, the top honor for Foodservice Packaging in its 2023 Best New Products contest.

Because reuse offers benefits consumers recognize and significantly reduces packaging waste, Anchorware Reusables help operators meaningfully differentiate their sustainability efforts. As more consumers seek sustainable solutions, reuse offers foodservice a compelling new option to engage their customers and add value to their food offerings.

Highly durable yet lightweight, Anchorware® Reusables clear polypropylene (PP) containers create a convenient way to bring reuse into foodservice operations at prices similar to single-use packaging. Consumers recognize these containers’ value, adding appeal to any meal. A full range of sizes from 16 oz. to 104 oz. in round, square, and rectangular shapes offer operators sustainable solutions for ambient, refrigerated, or hot foods to 230°F from grab-and-go displays or full-service meals and sides. Common footprints with interchangeable, one-step push button lids assure a secure, leak-resistant closure. These microwave and dishwasher-safe packages are BPA-free and PFAS-free. In addition, all Anchorware Reusables meet the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR®) preferred design guidance for recycling at the end of use.

This was the 27^th annual Convenience Store News competition. Overall, the Best New Products Awards program judges awarded 33 innovative new products introduced in the convenience channel in the past year. Judges evaluated entries on various criteria, including value and convenience, seeking innovations that best meet the needs of today’s consumers. Products brought to the market between May 31, 2022, and June 1, 2023, were eligible for entry. Past Times Marketing, a New York-based consumer research and product-testing firm, supervised and tallied judging.

Based in St Louis, MO, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of North America’s largest thermoformers and is best-known for award-winning products designed to preserve the taste and quality of food longer and custom capabilities. Anchor Packaging products include Crisp Food Technologies®, Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, and many other innovative and affordable packages for restaurants and retail food service. Anchor’s unique stock product line includes over 450 rigid containers, and foodservice cling film.

(St. Louis, MO) July 12, 2021
Appointment Adds Crucial Leadership Expertise Amid Record Demand and Continued Growth

Anchor Packaging, a leader in innovative packaging solutions that protect food and reduce waste, announced the hiring of Subbu Subramanian as Chief Information Officer (CIO).

As CIO, Subbu will play a key role in advancing Anchor’s strategic plan and supporting its continued growth. Most recently, he led as CIO at American Industrial Transport and American Railcar Industries. His previous experience includes various IT leadership roles at Bunge Ltd., Solutia Inc., Solae LLC, and Daugherty Business Solutions. His skill in improving visibility to business results, developing technology roadmaps and advancing infrastructure are critical as Anchor continues to expand its capabilities and capacity.

“Subbu’s expertise is coming on board at exactly the right time for Anchor,” said Jeff Wolff, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our team and look forward to the improvement his experience will create not only on our infrastructure, applications, and security functions but on our business-led technology roadmap as well.”

About Anchor Packaging, LLC

Based in St Louis, MO, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of North America’s largest thermoformers and best-known for award-winning products designed to preserve the taste and quality of fresh and freshly-prepared food. Anchor Packaging products include Crisp Food Technologies®, Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, and many other innovative and affordable packages for restaurants and retail foodservice. Anchor’s unique stock product line includes over 450 rigid containers and foodservice cling film.

(St. Louis, MO) March 2, 2021

Anchor Packaging, LLC, a leading US manufacturer of foodservice packaging, together with Mayor Josh Agee, community leaders, and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, celebrated the groundbreaking of a 90,000 square-foot, $21.5 million expansion to its Paragould, AR manufacturing facility, which will bring 45 new jobs over the next 30 months.

Since opening its first Arkansas production plant in 1985, Anchor has continued its rapid growth into multiple locations with several new product line expansions and hiring more local residents. Today, Anchor employs over 1,000 people and operates two million square feet of production and distribution across six facilities in Paragould, Marmaduke, and Jonesboro.

“Anchor’s packaging is just one more way Arkansas touches lives all over the United States,” Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “Most Americans probably don’t know they take their takeout restaurant food home in a container made in the Natural State. Since 1987, when Anchor opened its first facility in Marmaduke, the company has been a world-class member of our business community. Anchor’s decision to expand in Paragould gives us another opportunity to spread the news that Arkansas’s workforce is first-rate, our business climate is second to none, and Arkansas businesses make life better for millions of people.”

“I applaud Anchor Packaging for their commitment to their employees and the community,” said Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “They have risen to the top of their industry through innovation and quality while creating a positive environment that continues to draw a dedicated workforce.”

“Anchor Packaging has been an excellent partner of the Paragould industrial community since expanding to Paragould in the 1990’s. We are thrilled that Anchor has decided to expand here once again. Our workforce has time and time again met the needs of expanding and new industries. The City of Paragould has long been a proponent of partnering with our local industries for job retention and expansion. The Anchor Packaging expansion is a proud product of those efforts,” said Paragould Mayor Josh Agee.

“Anchor Packaging has a rich 58-year history protecting food, including moving its manufacturing operations to Northeast Arkansas communities over 35 years ago.  I am proud to say we have never had a lay-off.  Re-investing in the region comes naturally as we have outstanding employees, many second and third generation, coupled with an evergrowing business focused on sustainable food packaging solutions,” said Jeff Wolff, CEO and President, Anchor Packaging.  “Our safety accomplishments and consecutive record production levels over the past several years are evidence of the pride and ownership every Anchor team member takes in producing high-quality packaging that best meets the evolving needs of our customers.”

The Paragould expansion will house several new thermoforming lines with installation beginning in late 2021.  This expansion is in addition to the new thermoforming lines going operational in Q2, 2021 in Paragould and Jonesboro allowing Anchor Packaging to fill the rapidly growing demand for foodservice containers used by restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores to serve the consumer’s expanding need for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery of prepared meals. Anchor Packaging products include the award-winning Crisp Food Technologies® containers, Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, and a unique stock product line of over 450 rigid containers and foodservice cling films.

Crisp Food Technologies® Wins 2020 AmeriStar Packaging Award
Anchor Packaging Containers Keep Food Hot & Crispy for 30-Minute Home Delivery

(St. Louis, Missouri) October 28, 2020. In a rapidly changing foodservice environment, Crisp Food Technologies® containers won the coveted AmeriStar Packaging Award by providing the only solution to keep fried foods hot and crisp for delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup. As more consumers opt for these off-premise methods versus dine-in, operators face significant challenges. Chief among these is how to offer the food consumers desire most while protecting temperature, texture, and taste during transit and holding times. Crisp Food Technologies’ unique, patented design elements utilize cross-flow convection science to scavenge excess humidity while maintaining high internal food temperatures.

The AmeriStar Package Award, one of the packaging industry’s most prestigious design award programs, is judged by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). A roster of 15 judges from various packaging industry segments evaluated this year’s entries, examining innovation, product protection, economics, performance, marketing, and environmental impact. The winner of AmeriStar, Crisp Food Technologies, will represent the USA in the upcoming WorldStar competition.Anchor Packaging is a 3-time winner of the AmeriStar award and has won in both of its previous appearances in WorldStar events.

This award is the fourth overall for the Crisp Food Technologies line in the past two years. It won Convenience Store News Best New Product in 2019, Convenience Store Products (CSP) Best Product in 2019, and Convenience Store News Best Overall Innovation in 2020.

“In a challenging environment, with the tremendous acceleration in off-premise demand, we are proud to be a key part of the solution for all foodservice operators,” said Jeffrey Wolff, CEO of Anchor Packaging. He continued, “using thermal imaging, our R&D group precisely determined the optimal design elements necessary to remove excess humidity, while maintaining a higher food temperature. This research brings a new level of technology to the field of package design.”

The adoption of Crisp Food Technologies across channels is skyrocketing. Tested by national and independent restaurants, supermarkets, convenience store operators, and its performance validated by Technomic, it is now in use at over 21,000 locations and growing rapidly.

Based in St Louis, MO, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of North America’s largest thermoformers and best-known for its award-winning product designs and custom capabilities. Anchor Packaging’s products include Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, Crisp Food Technologies®, as well as many other innovative and affordable packages for restaurant takeout and to-go meals in supermarkets. Anchor’s unique stock product line includes over 450 rigid containers, and foodservice cling films.

CRISP FOOD TECHNOLOGIES^® WINS BEST NEW PRODUCT” AWARD FOR 3RD TIME
– FRY BABY® Dubbed OVERALL INNOVATION” WINNER OF 2020

(St. Louis, MO) August 31, 2020. Anchor Packaging LLC announces: After competing among a record number of entries, the Crisp Food Technologies^® Fry Baby® was awarded the top honor of Overall Innovation Winner” by Convenience Store News in the 2020 Best New Products contest. This container is one of the latest additions to the Crisp Food Technologies container family, a product line already twice-awarded for its innovation and unique ability to keep fried foods both hot and crispy.

From among nearly 100 entries, consumer judges chose products new to convenience store shelves for recognition in the 24th annual competition. The Best New Products Awards program recognizes the most innovative, high-quality products that meet consumers’ evolving needs and fit a convenience store’s value proposition. Judging was supervised and tallied by Past Times Marketing, a New York-based consumer research and product-testing firm.

The Fry Baby® container offers operators the patented Crisp Food Technologies performance in a hinged 6″ x 3″ size, perfect for a serving of french fries, chicken strips, nuggets, wings, and many other crave-able foods that drive consumer traffic. It offers the added performance of integrated anti-fog into both the clear base and lid to keep food looking fresh on display and to avoid order errors. It is safe to 230℉ under heat lamps, in warming units, and microwaves. All this, at a cost less than a coated paper box.

The family of Crisp Food Technologies Containers keeps fried foods hot & crispy up to three hours on display and over 30 minutes for takeout or delivery. The unique, patented, convection cross-flow design relieves moisture and condensation while maintaining food temperature. Through-the-closure ventilation and raised airflow channels in the bottom of the container combine with venting in the lid to ensure fried foods remain both crisp and hot. Available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and options, these packages are the perfect fit for the rapid growth of home delivery, curbside pickup, and takeout across all foodservice and retail channels. Crisp Food Technologies Containers are in use at over 21,000 locations and growing.

Based in St Louis, MO, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of the largest thermoformers in North America and best-known for its award-winning product designs and custom capabilities. Anchor Packaging’s products include Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, as well as many other innovative and affordable packages for restaurant takeout and to-go meals in supermarkets. Anchor’s unique stock product line includes over 450 rigid packages and foodservice cling film.

(St. Louis, Missouri) July 09, 2020. Anchor Packaging LLC, the innovation leader in rigid food packaging, announced today the acquisition of Panoramic Inc., located in Janesville, Wisconsin. Panoramic Inc is a leading manufacturer of thermoformed products used in fresh food applications, including bakery, produce, and confectionery.

Over the past 14 years, Panoramic has grown at a double-digit annual rate alongside a diverse customer base, consisting of a wide range of regional and national food processors and retailers. Panoramic is well known for its ability to service mid-sized customers, with creativity and speed to market. These competencies are highly complementary to the emphasis on innovation, custom design, and velocity at Anchor Packaging. As a result of this combination, Anchor will be positioned to serve the combined base of customers better, while providing a more comprehensive offering for the entire food industry, regardless of the size of customer, product, or project, across North America and beyond.

“We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Panoramic Inc, and we welcome all the Panoramic colleagues and customers to the Anchor Packaging family of companies,” commented Jeff Wolff, President, and CEO of Anchor Packaging. This acquisition is strategically important to us for two reasons: It will significantly broaden our offering to attract bakery, produce, deli, and confectionery customers. Also, it expands our capabilities and speed to market across any size customer or project to support the growing needs of our customers.”

“I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, this is the right thing to do for Panoramic Inc, and more importantly for all of our employees and our loyal customers,” said Rick Holznecht, the former President of Panoramic Inc. We share a joint heritage in that both of our companies were founded and operated as Midwestern-based, family-owned businesses for many years. Anchor Packaging holds true to that same set of core values that we live by every day at Panoramic. This is an exciting new chapter for Panoramic Inc and an opportunity to grow with a family of companies that shares our customer-centric innovative vision.”

About Anchor Packaging LLC
Based in St Louis, MO, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of the largest thermoformers in North America and best-known for its award-winning product designs and custom capabilities. Anchor Packaging’s products include Crisp Food Technologies® containers that keep fried foods hot & crispy for 30-minute home delivery, Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, and affordable packages for restaurant takeout and supermarket prepared ready-to-heat meals. Anchor’s unique stock product line includes over 450 rigid packages and cling film products.

About Panoramic Inc
Based in Janesville Wi, Panoramic LLC is a growing thermoformer within the food packaging industry servicing the United States and Canada. Recognized for its customer-centric approach, custom designs, and speed to market capabilities. As an additional service to its customers, Panoramic provides a stock line of products that include over 500 rigid packaging options servicing the bakery, deli, confectionery, and produce markets.

Anchor Packaging LLC, well known for its award-winning new products in food packaging, has redirected a portion of its engineering staff and its 3D laser-printing machine toward making face shields for healthcare workers in the St Louis area.

“During more normal times, we use this machine to produce prototypes of new design food packaging in a matter of hours for our customers,” said Jeffrey Wolff, CEO of Anchor Packaging. “In the current climate, we have dedicated this equipment, and the engineers that program and operate it, to help protect healthcare workers who are on the front lines fighting this disease.” The 3D printer is being used to produce the rigid frames for the face shields and Anchor also provided rolls of clear PET sheet to be attached to the frames to form the complete shield. To date, 1,200 completed face shields have been delivered to local hospitals in the St Louis area. Anchor and other companies will continue to produce these face shields at a rate of over 600 per week.

In Northeast Arkansas, where Anchor operates several of its plants, the Anchor Packaging Community Outreach Program has been formed. Through that program, Anchor has delivered donations of food containers, lids, foil wrap, and cling film to local schools, hospitals, and churches to feed thousands in the surrounding area.

(St. Louis, MO) March 2, 2020. Anchor Packaging LLC, the market-leading manufacturer of innovative packaging products for the foodservice, supermarket, and convenience store markets, announced today the latest addition to their award-winning Crisp Food Technologies^® container line, with the new Fry Baby^TM hinged container. The 6″x 3″ size is perfect for a serving of French fries, chicken strips, nuggets, wings, and many other foods. Fry Baby containers integrate anti-fog in both the clear base and clear lid to keep food looking fresh on display for grab n go and to avoid order errors. Fry Baby is a game-changer, containing the award-winning, high-performance attributes of Crisp Food Technologies AT A COST LESS THAN A COATED PAPERBOARD BOX.

The family of Crisp Food Technologies Containers keeps fried foods hot & crispy for over 30 minutes during takeout or delivery. The unique, patented, convection cross-flow design relieves moisture and condensation while maintaining food temperature. Through-the-closure ventilation and raised airflow channels in the bottom of the container combine with venting in the lid to ensure fried foods remain both crisp and hot. Crisp Food Technologies, in a variety of sizes, shapes, and options, are the perfect fit for the rapidly growing Home Delivery trend across all foodservice channels. Crisp Food Technologies Containers are in use at over 16,000 locations and growing.

The new Fry Baby will supercharge impulse purchases and repeat sales while saving operators on packaging costs. The Fry Baby is consumer reusable and recyclable.

Based in St Louis, MO, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of the largest thermoformers in North America and best-known for its award-winning product designs and custom capabilities. Anchor Packaging’s products include Crisp Food Technologies^® containers that keep fried foods hot & crispy for 30-minute home delivery, Safe Pinch^® Tamper-Evident containers, as well as affordable packaging for restaurant takeout and to merchandise prepared ready-to-heat meals in supermarkets. Anchor’s unique stock product line includes over 450 rigid packaging and cling film products.

(St. Louis, MO) October 28, 2019. Anchor Packaging LLC., the market-leading manufacturer of innovative packaging products for the foodservice, supermarket, and convenience store markets, announced today that its Crisp Food Technologies^® Containers won the CSP 2019 Retailer’s Choice – Best New Product Award. The winner of this award was determined by convenience store retailers’ vote. “Successful new products are the lifeblood of the convenience retailing industry. With the huge number of new products released every year, you should be proud your product has been recognized as one of the best” stated Ms. Archie from Winsight LLC, publisher of CSP Magazine. The trophy was awarded at the 2019 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Expo in Atlanta earlier this month. 

In July of this year, Convenience Store News had also named Anchor’s Crisp Food Technologies^® Containers as the 2019 Best New Product for the Convenience Store market. That award was earned, based on an evaluation of all new products, by Past Times Marketing, a New York-based consumer research and product-testing firm.

Crisp Food Technologies^® Containers: Keeps Fried Foods Hot & Crispy on Display and for Delivery. Unique, patented, convection cross-flow design relieves moisture and condensation while maintaining food temperature. Through-the-closure ventilation and raised airflow channels in the bottom of the container combine with venting in the lid to ensure fried foods remain crisp. The Crisp Food Technologies^® containers, offered in a variety of sizes, shapes, and options, are a perfect fit for the rapid growth of Home Delivery across all foodservice channels and are in use at over 15,000 stores today.

Anchor Packaging’s products include affordable, upscale, to-go packaging to merchandise prepared ready-to-heat meals in supermarkets and takeout meals offered by restaurants and other foodservice operations. Anchor’s unique product line includes stock and custom rigid packaging, as well as a broad line of cling film wraps.

(St. Louis, MO) July 31, 2019. Anchor Packaging LLC., the market-leading manufacturer of innovative packaging products for the foodservice, supermarket, and food processor markets, announced today that the Crisp Food Technologies^® Containers had won the 2019 Convenience Store News “BEST NEW PRODUCT” award. Judging was supervised by Past Times Marketing, a New York-based consumer research and product-testing firm.

Crisp Food Technologies^® Containers: Keeps Fried Foods Hot & Crispy for 30-Minute Delivery. Unique, patented, convection cross-flow design relieves moisture and condensation while maintaining food temperature. Through-the-closure ventilation and raised airflow channels in the bottom of the container combine with venting in the lid to ensure fried foods remain crisp. The Crisp Food Technologies^® Containers, offered in a variety of options, are a perfect fit for the rapid growth of Home Delivery across all foodservice channels and are in use at over 14,000 stores today.

This is the latest of many awards that Anchor Packaging has won for packaging design and innovation. Anchor Packaging previously won the Convenience Store News “BEST NEW PRODUCT” award for The Embraceable^®, a platter and domed lid that encapsulates a standard portion cup and eliminates the need for its lid, while holding a full meal in a leak-resistant, heat-resistant, microwavable container. Anchor is also the 2-time winner of the Ameristar Award and 2-time winner of the Worldstar Awards, among others.

Anchor Packaging’s products include affordable, upscale, to-go packaging to merchandise prepared ready-to-heat meals in supermarkets and takeout meals offered by restaurants and other foodservice operations. Anchor’s unique product line includes stock and custom rigid packaging, as well as a broad line of cling film wraps.