Kendall Packaging, a 30-year corporate citizen of Pittsburg, KS, USA, will be pumping nearly $9 million into an expansion. Through a partnership with the City of Pittsburg, the manufacturer will be more than doubling its current plant size and adding jobs within the near future.

“This is our second major expansion in three years,” explains Eric Erickson III, Kendall Packaging president and CEO. “Between the Pittsburg plant and our facility in Jefferson, WI, we have invested approximately $17 million in improvements. As a corporation, we have experienced an exceptional growth rate and want to continue that trend.”

As the expansion officially kicked off during a groundbreaking ceremony on September 21 in the Pittsburg industrial park, Kendall Packaging will be adding 59,000 square feet to its current building and adding $6 million worth of equipment.

“We really need this expansion,” says Jack Trostle, Pittsburg plant manager. “Right now, we are maxed out as far as what we can do. Our employees are working at full capacity to provide superior customer service and a world-class product. Expanding is the only logical conclusion as we look at the potential of the current manufacturing platform.”

By adding new equipment and expanding the physical footprint of the plant, Kendall Packaging can add state-of-the-art processes that are the final piece in the next generation of flexible packaging.
Kendall Packaging provides custom packaging solutions for a broad cross section of private label companies and specializes in products in the baked goods, cheese, confectionary, dry foods, frozen foods, meats, pasta, personal care, pet food and snack food markets. The products featuring their packaging are offered locally and internationally in grocery stores and other retail locations.

“It is exciting to see Kendall Packaging investing in this plant expansion,” adds Blake Benson, Pittsburg economic development director and president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “They have been a long-time employer and an innovative member of the community.”

Kendall Packaging will be financing the expansion through agreements with the City of Pittsburg to utilize funds from a Community Development Block Grant and an Industrial Revenue Bond. The partnership features savings through temporary property and sales tax exemptions and promises strides in local economic development.

Not only does the expansion mean more business and jobs for Kendall Packaging, but it also leads to more local partnerships. Triad Environmental Services is working with the plant to develop a new storm water prevention plan. And Tri-State Construction is on board as the construction company for the site expansion. “Tri-State Construction built the structure we are currently in and has done some other projects for us along the way. We have a good working relationship with them and feel they are well respected in the community. It’s a pleasure to work with them on this expansion,” explains Trostle.

Kendall Packaging is looking to the future with this expansion. “To us, this provides the Pittsburg plant with the platform and foundation to stay current with the emerging technology in the digital world,” says Erickson. This means we plan to stay and grow in Southeast Kansas for a long, long time.”