Garlock Printing & Converting picks Reno for new plant

Massachusetts-based Garlock Printing is opening operations in Reno, Nevada. The new facility will house a host of equipment, including a Novoflex CM 10, the company's first investment in W&H machinery.

Due to a bi-coastal customer base, Garlock decided to have both East and West Coast facilities. Garlock said Reno proved attractive for a handful of reasons, namely tax benefits (proximity to California without the taxes) and easy access to customers in the Northwest and Southwest. The Reno operation will offer the same products and services as in Massachusetts.

Garlock found an existing 50,000 sq-ft building in very good condition that already had insulation and air conditioning, with only minor renovations required to house equipment. In addition, Garlock has already initiated plans for a 60,000 sq-ft expansion of the facility.

The Novoflex currently being installed has a 67" working width, accommodates large repeat lengths and runs at 2,000 ft/min. Scheduled to be fully operational by late winter, this pilot press will be joined by up to tow additional presses within the year. This is in addition to rewinding, laminating and pouch equipment being installed in early spring.

With the Reno operations, Garlock say it becomes one of the few companies to service the entire flexible packaging market from coast-to-coast.

Garlock opened its doors in Gardner, MA in 1987 printing primarily tissue paper in partnership with its sister company, Seaman Paper. With over a quarter of a century as the largest domestic printer of custom tissue used in retail and consumer products, Garlock also services the fresh produce, snack food, frozen meat and produce, food service, industrial and toilet tissue markets. The transition to film in some markets provided Garlock with a natural opportunity for evolution.

While turnover based on their paper business has remained steady for the past eigh years, overall sales for the company have shown double-digit growth, which the company said was fueled by flexible packaging. Today, the company's capabilities include not only printing, but also lamination, bag & pouch making, sheeting, rewinding, laser perforation and other specialty converting.