Making Change

Algoma, WI-based WS Packaging Group purchases the narrow-web division of labelmaker Renaissance Mark on Dec. 1. The deal includes facilities in Fullerton, CA; Skokie, IL; Scranton, PA; and Monterey, Mexico. All of these narrow-web plants have been under the leadership of Bill Harper, who will remain with WS Packaging in that same capacity. Operating for more than 30 years, the Fullerton facility is reportedly the largest supplier of printed labels for the fresh berry market in the US. With its latest acquisition, WS Packaging now has 18 manufacturing plants with projected 2006 sales of more than $300 million.

Water-soluble film converter MonoSol LLC expands its laboratory and relocates its headquarters from Portage, IN, to Merrillville, IN. The company's addition of a blown-film extrusion line complements its existing production lines, and will increase global capacity to meet demand for water-soluble laundry bags as well as detergent and packaging films, MonoSol says.

3 Sigma Corp. (Troy, OH), which converts specialty coated and adhesive products, completes its 45,000-sq-ft facility expansion started last spring. Work has begun on the installation of three new coating lines, which will allow the company to produce solvent-based adhesive-coated substrates for extreme environment, industrial and technical label applications, as well as increase capacity for standard emulsion products. The converter anticipates having all three new lines fully operational by mid-2006.