Pratt Industries opens new corrugated box facility in Wisconsin

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Conyers, Georgia-based Pratt Industries has announced opening of its new corrugated box facility in Beloit, Wisconsin. The opening ceremony was attended by Gov. Scott Walker among others, including top Pratt officials and business leaders. The new 350,000 square-foot box factory, built on a 56-acre site in 1405 Gateway Blvd., Gateway Business Park, will bring 140 manufacturing jobs to the Beloit area.

Pratt Industries had invested $60 million in the new facility, supported by an incentive package provided by the Beloit City Council, the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corp. and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. It had generated nearly 200 construction jobs during the building process.

The new facility will produce and distribute small boxes and will have capacity to produce around 600 tons of recycled boxes every day. The cardboard boxes made in Beloit would be supplied to local and regional customers including Amazon’s Kenosha distribution center.

During a tent celebration held outside the plant, the company officials announced that the new plant will produce corrugated cardboard boxes that are made from 100% recycled paper. The inauguration of the new plant is in line with the company’s plan to expand its operations into the Midwest and beyond, they added. According to them, the Beloit is the company’s most efficient and technologically-advanced plant in entire North America. The facility employs latest water reclamation technology, which ultimately targets zero discharge to local sewer system. Further, equipment such as forklift and grab trucks will run on natural gas, which in turn will result in significant reduction of carbon emissions.

Speaking at the function, Gov. Scott Walker thanked Pratt management for choosing Wisconsin to build the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The company had initially considered three locations in three different states, but had finally chosen Wisconsin. Further, he noted that the opening of the new plant is a clear proof that Wisconsin beats Illinois in the border war for business. Meantime, Pratt Industries noted that the location’s easy access to Chicago market along with Wisconsin’s business-friendly climate has influenced the company’s decision to choose Beloit as the location of the new facility.

Pratt Industries has been on a rapid expansion during recent times, through building of new facilities and acquisition of key facilities across the US. Last year, it had acquired Albert Lea-based Minnesota Corrugated Box (MCB) for a sum of $70 million. The company had unveiled its fourth 100% recycled paper mill in Valparaiso, Indiana. In addition, the company had announced installation of 1.4-MW rooftop solar plant at its box plant in Staten Island, New York.

Founded in 1987, Pratt bills itself as the world’s largest privately held company to produce all of its paper and packaging from 100-percent-recycled material. The company produces 1.15 million tons of recycled-content paper each year. Pratt Industries now has some 130 facilities in 26 states and is currently the fifth largest corrugated packaging company in the U.S.