Colbert Packaging in Kenosha celebrates 65th anniversary
KENOSHA –Colbert Packaging Corporation, a provider of paperboard packaging solutions, is celebrating its 65th anniversary.
Founded in Chicago in 1959 by the late Charles Colbert, the company has grown organically and through acquisition, and remains an independent, family-owned business. Colbert has manufacturing facilities at 9949 58th Place in Kenosha, as well as in Elkhart, Indiana, and a warehouse in South Bend, Indiana.
"Some of my earliest memories include visiting the factory in Chicago," CEO Nancy Colbert MacDougall said. "Looking back, although the faces have changed, one thing remains, our commitment to care for our employees and our customers."
"We're proud to say, on this anniversary milestone, that we have built a great company based on the strength of our customer relationships, our talented associates who serve them, and our suppliers and industry affiliations," said Colbert President and COO John Lackner. "We look forward to future success as we continue to invest in our business, our associates, and develop new and innovative paperboard packaging solutions for our customers."
Over the last five years, through a pandemic, supply chain and labor shortages, and industry consolidation, Colbert Packaging demonstrated strength and agility.
The company continues to extend its capacity with new equipment. Recent capital investments include the addition of a new Eterna gluer built by Brausse, and the purchase of an RMGT printing press — the longest of its kind in North America.
The press will accomplish complex and unique graphics, resulting in packaging solutions for today's pharma and consumer goods customers — in a single press pass. Colbert anticipates the installation of this press by spring 2025.
"Our primary product, paper-based secondary packaging solutions, has always been the more sustainable packaging choice," MacDougall said. "But, when it comes to sustainability, we haven't stopped there. We invest in wind power renewable energy credits, practice zero manufacturing waste to landfill in our operations, and subscribe to EcoVadis business sustainability ratings platform for continuous improvement with our sustainability goals."
The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Association honored Colbert Packaging's Kenosha facility as a Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment for 2023.
"If he were here, my dad would most likely enjoy celebrating this 65th milestone by relaxing and talking shop with Colbert employees over a picnic lunch. And that's exactly what I intend to do," MacDougall added.
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