PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Jan. 5

MWV acquires Polytop Corp. to further strengthen its position in global packaging
MeadWestvaco Corp. is expanding its capabilities in targeted packaging end-markets with the acquisition of Polytop Corp., an innovative leader in the design and manufacturing of dispensing closures. The acquisition was completed on Dec. 30, 2011. Polytop's offices and manufacturing facilities, located in Slatersville, RI, will remain in full operation, the Polytop management team will remain in place and all 180 Polytop employees will become MWV employees

.

Graphic Packaging relocates its corporate headquarters
Graphic Packaging Intl. Inc. (GPI), one of the world's largest paperboard packaging companies, is relocating its corporate headquarters to Sandy Springs, GA, from Marietta, GA, in January 2013. The new Sandy Springs headquarters will be within the RiverEdge Summit complex and will enable the company to consolidate its existing four building campus into a single location. Relocating to the new complex will be the executive team, corporate staff, North American operational headquarters, Product Development Center and Global Innovation Center.

Havi Global Solutions names Bell Inc. 2011 Quality Supplier of the Year
Havi Global Solutions—which provides strategic sourcing, packaging services solutions and strategic supply chain management for some of the world's largest full-service and quick-service (QSR) restaurants—has awarded Bell Inc. the "Supplier of the Year Quality Award for 2011." Bell, one of the 10 largest independent folding carton companies in North America, received the recognition for packaging products it provides to Havi's largest customer, a multi-national QSR operator.

PTI names Thierry Fabozzi managing director of its European business unit
Thierry Fabozzi has been named managing director of Plastic Technologies Inc. Europe (PTI-E), Yverdon, Switzerland. Thierry comes to PTI-E with a 25-year track record of significant packaging technology and business development achievements. Most recently, he was the business stream packaging leader and rigid packaging specialist for Nestlé's Nestec Product Technology Center Orbe, Vevey, Switzerland.

Lindal Group expands Columbus facility
The Lindal Group—a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of valves, actuators and spray caps for aerosol products—has expanded its Columbus, IN, facility, a direct result of growth in demand for the company's aerosol dispensing solutions. The expansion allows the company to shorten supply chains and increase return on investment for its multinational customers based in western hemisphere.

Pregis appoints president/CEO
Pregis Corp., an international supplier of protective packaging solutions, has appointed Kevin Baudhuin president/CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Baudhuin replaces Glenn Fischer, who had served as the company's CEO since Feb. 23, 2011, and will continue as a director of the parent company. Baudhuin joined Pregis in December 2007 as president of the company's North American protective packaging business and was promoted to president of global protective packaging in October 2010.

Biodegradable Food Service LLC opens new manufacturing facility
Biodegradable Food Service LLC (BDFS) has opened its manufacturing facility in Richland, MO. The plant will manufacture an entirely new line of products, based on the equipment's ability to expand plant and vegetable starches in a manner similar to that used in the production of Styrofoam. All materials will be sourced in the U.S., naturally abundant, sustainably grown or all the above. The shelf-stable products will degrade rapidly across a range of composting processes.

CTI founder named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year"
Lyle Small, founder of Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI), a specialized inks and coatings company, was named "2011 Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp.

.