Winkler rebrands as Nuconic Packaging, adds new machinery and employees

What's in a name? Well, for Winkler Plastics, you could say everything. The company recently rebranded itself as Nuconic Packaging. 

"We rebranded the name to reset the stage for growth," Nuconic Packaging CEO Alan Franz told PlasticsToday. "We wanted to have a name that differentiated ourselves from other competitors and formulated a name that was internally derived of being 'New - NU,' of our primary product 'CONtainers,' and made of PlastIC.'"

Nuconic Packaging is positioning itself as a manufacturer of thermoformed PET-based plastic containers primarily serving the bakery, produce, confectionery, snack and pet food segments of the food products industry. 

With a new name comes new machinery, including the TSL thermoformer, tooling equipment and a linear rail trim press. The company says the equipment has nearly doubled its capacity and increased the company's range of product offerings. Products have reduced plug lines, improved clarity and strength and smooth de-nesting for easier customer use, the company stated. There's also an environmental aspect as the new equipment can produce products from recycled plastics while reportedly consuming minimal energy. The company works with 100% PET, both clear and black.

"The parent company invested over $1.8 million in a new thermoformer and related tooling to dramatically improve our current product offering and allow growth for new product lines," Franz said. "The focus remains in food packaging with an emphasis on product quality and service."

The company's main customer base are food processors in the U.S. and Canada. Earlier this year, the company earned an "A" rating on its food safety audit from the BRC Packaging and Packaging Materials Standard, which is the first standard in the world to be recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarking committee.

With a new name and equipment, next comes new employees. Nuconic Packaging added Francisco Diaz to the position of director of operations and engineering. Nuconic calls Diaz an "expert in the field of thermoforming with a solid background in tool machining, product design and engineering management." On the customer service front, Nuconic added Lupe Meneses as customer service manager in 2013. Meneses brings 11 years of customer service experience in the industry to Nuconic.

"All of these initiatives add up to giving our customers confidence that our products are the best, the safest and most considerate of the environment. Our re-branding shows that we are rapidly embracing the new to ensure a dynamic future for our company and our customers," Franz said.  

— Heather Caliendo