PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, June 21

Intelligrated recognized on Fast 55 List for Growth and Expansion
Intelligrated, a North American-owned automated material handling solutions provider, announces that its exponential growth earned the company a winning position in the $100 million and up category on the Cincinnati Business Courier "Fast 55" list. This recognition is based on the company's 196 percent growth in revenue from 2008 to 2010.

Watson Standard's expand R&D and manufacturing capabilities

Watson Standard recently acquired an Electron Beam curing unit. The investment will serve to strengthen the Research and Development facility and capabilities of their Rigid and Flexible packaging divisions.

PTI establishes new, independent closure testing lab
Plastic Technologies Inc. has opened a new closure testing lab, touted as the first independent facility of its type (that is, not associated with any closure manufacturer). Closure testing capabilities will include: application, top load vent, removal torque, opening performance, secure seal, carbonation retention, impact, barrier, scavengers, lubricants and others. The lab will also include a single-head capper to test reliable and reproducible capping, as well as a vision system to measure critical dimensions and facilitate tooling evaluations. PTI's closure lab can analyze both plastic and metal closures for a broad variety of packaging applications. These include beverage, food, personal care, household chemicals and others.

BDI opens new branch in Dallas
BDI (Bearing Distributors Inc.) has opened a new branch in Dallas, TX, at 2018 Wall St., Suite 500, Garland, TX 75041. Overseeing the Dallas branch are operations manager Lanisha Wilcox and account manager Mike Bart. Among the products BDI supplies are adhesives/sealants/lubricants, linear motion control and material handling systems. "The Dallas area represents one of the largest industrial markets in the U.S., and BDI's presence there will support our growing customer base in The Metroplex," says John Ruth, president, BDI-USA.

Berry Plastics buys Rexam's specialty and beverage closures business
Berry Plastics Corp. has agreed to buy the Rexam specialty and beverage closures business for approximately $360 million. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011. Curt Begle, president of Berry's Rigid Closed Top Div., says, "This acquisition will complement Berry's broad product offering of value added packaging and establishes Berry in markets where we do not have a significant presence today. We are enthusiastic about acquiring the highly skilled and dedicated workforce of Rexam SBC, along with its strategic footprint of manufacturing operations throughout the world."

Rexam SBC is a leading manufacturer of injection and compression molded plastic specialty and beverage closures, jars, and other plastic packaging products for the food, beverage, industrial and household chemical, automotive and beauty end markets. Rexam SBC has eight manufacturing facilities globally, including seven in the U.S. and one in Brazil. In addition, Rexam SBC has manufacturing operations in Malaysia and Mexico through joint venture agreements, and a research and development technical center located in Perrysburg, Ohio. Rexam SBC had 2010 annual net sales of approximately $500 million and has 1,500 employees.

Cognex promotes Robert Willett to CEO
Robert Willett, president and COO at Cognex Corp., has been promoted to CEO. Willett will continue to report to Dr. Robert Shillman, who remains chairman of the board and who has taken on the newly-created role of Cognex's Chief Culture Officer. In his most recent role as president/COO, Willett had management responsibility for sales, marketing, product development and operations for both of Cognex's two divisions (the Modular Vision Systems Div. and the Surface Inspection Systems Div.). As CEO, Willett also is now responsible for the company's global Finance & Administration functions.

Glenroy Inc. receives five graphics excellence awards in statewide printing competition
Glenroy Inc., a converter and printer of flexible packaging, received five awards from Printing Industries of Wisconsin in the 2011 Graphics Excellence competition, including three Best of Category awards. The statewide competition promotes excellence in print communications and it rewards companies and individuals who produce the best in print media within Wisconsin.


.