Maxco and Proactive Team Up for Sustainable Ag Packaging

Maxco Supply Inc. of Parlier, CA and Proactive Packaging & Display, Inc. of Stockton and Ontario, CA have signed a multi-year, strategic alliance agreement to better serve the agricultural industry’s packaging needs, with the ultimate goal of producing premium packaging with as little impact on the environment as possible.  This alliance provides for superior package construction and graphics for consumers, while at the same time helping to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using less paper and less power in production. 

For its part, Maxco is introducing a new Micro-Flute configuration specifically designed for agricultural packaging.  Over the last two years, General Manager Joe Sepe has worked hard to move Maxco’s packaging away from the usual dual arch box construction to a double wall format.  The most recent advancement allows for a triple wallboard product using a technologically advanced, ultra lightweight paper, which Mr. Sepe believes will ultimately reduce the weight of the box, yet increase the strength of the container. With Maxco’s goal of producing a “super grape container” for long term storage, the Micro- Flute configuration will also reduce moisture penetration to the product in cold storage, while at the same time increasing top-to-bottom performance overall.

Proactive’s part of the alliance is to supplement customer options in the actual printing of the packaging boxes, with Proactive having broadened its use of litho printing and heightened the use of flexo printing for ag packaging products. Maxco’s own in-house graphic design and printing operations are known for their innovation in sustainable printing techniques.  Adding Proactive’s premium printing technology will give the customer even more options for cutting-edge print quality with a sustainable container.  At the heart of Proactive’s contribution to this sustainable packaging alliance is the introduction of their Drent Goebel 9 color litho press, which utilizes highly sustainable electron beam ink curing techniques.  

Currently exclusive to Proactive, this state-of-the-art printer uses less power, which in turn creates lower greenhouse gases by curing its inks and coatings without the use of harmful volatile organic compounds.  In addition to the Drent Goebel 9 color, on the flexo side an 8-color Master Flex printer and a 7-color Martin press power the possibility of choice for the customer.  The use of these new machines has allowed Proactive to position itself as the leader in sustainability driven, premium graphic packaging.

Industry and consumer demand is what drove both companies to form this exciting alliance, where each can use their individual strengths to create a product that will help set them apart as leaders in the agricultural marketplace.

“Demand for more sustainable packaging answers is very high in today’s market, and rightfully so,” says Mark Flaming, Vice President of Operations and Sales at Maxco Supply, Inc.  “Protecting the environment has always been a Maxco priority, so it’s only natural that we move production in this sustainable direction.”  Adds Proactive’s Director of Marketing Clive Costa, “We’ve had a huge response from club stores and large retailers, and it goes without saying we’re proud to be a part of an alliance that provides not only a better product for the customer, but is better for the environment in the end.”

Sources: Maxco Supply Inc.; Proactive Packaging & Display, Inc.

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