Dart Container invests $40 million in new innovation center

Dart Container Corp. (Mason, MI), one of the world’s largest food and beverage packaging manufacturers, announced plans to invest $40 million in a new technical and innovation center that will enable the company to increase its ability to develop new and improved products. The project is expected to create at least 135 new jobs in the greater Lansing region in such areas as engineering and the skilled trades.

Dart’s expansion is being supported by a $1 million Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant from the Michigan Business Development Program, which provides economic assistance to businesses that create jobs and investment in Michigan. Alaiedon Township is also supporting the project through a tax abatement.

The project includes construction of a 250,000-square-foot facility on 38 acres in Alaiedon Township, adjacent to Dart’s existing corporate campus in Mason. The two-story technical and innovation center will feature 80,000 square feet for offices and 170,000 square feet devoted to the development and production of prototype packaging solutions.

The project also includes renovation of existing space to expand Dart’s tooling and machine manufacturing operations from 215,000 to 330,000 square feet.

“We are excited that our continued growth has enabled us to invest another $40 million at our corporate headquarters in Mason and bring at least 136 new administrative, engineering, technology and skilled trade jobs to our region and state,” Dart Container President Jim Lammers said. “Our founders launched our company in Mason 57 years ago, and we remain committed to mid-Michigan because we can attract and retain employees with diverse skills and strong work ethics.”

Lammers noted that Dart Container was founded on engineering innovation that led to technical competitive advantages in the food and beverage packaging industry. “We are continuing that tradition by creating a dedicated center that will consolidate and expand our engineering and technology functions,” he stated in a prepared release. “The center will allow us to optimize collaboration, increase our ability to create prototypes and spur innovative product development for our customers.”

The new technical and innovation center is another significant investment in Michigan by Dart Container since its 2012 acquisition of Solo Cup Co. In the past five years, Dart Container has invested more than $60 million in the Mason campus and created more than 500 new jobs.

Dart Container offers more than 4,000 products for the food and beverage packaging industry, and has 16,000 employees and 46 production, distribution and office locations in six countries.