Last October SOMIC Packaging, Inc. set up residence at its new corporate headquarters in suburban Minneapolis. In recognition of the occasion and other significant achievements from the past year, the company will host a daylong two-part Open House event on Thursday, September 25, and only days before a revolutionary next generation machine is exhibited at PACK Expo Las Vegas.
The new home is just a few miles from the previous site, but it represents a new chapter in the short history for the packaging manufacturer of automated, mechatronic retail ready equipment. SOMIC Packaging more than tripled it space with the move to the 48,000 square-foot building at the InverPoint Business Park, located 10 minutes south of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
CEO Peter Fox said the Open House event will be a multiple celebration of the new facility, while also recognizing SOMIC Packaging’s ten-year anniversary and parent company SOMIC’s golden anniversary in 2024.
“When the move occurred last fall, we had so many things taking place at the same time. We were simultaneously preparing to introduce a new booth design and machine a few weeks later at PACK Expo in Chicago,” explained Fox as to why it is being held now.
“Our new headquarters was two years in the making and fit perfectly with our plans to accommodate customers today, and provide the necessary space for future growth. In the past year we have doubled the size of our workforce. I expect us to continue hiring more staff since we are now manufacturing and assembling all of the new machines for the majority of North American installations.”
The Open House festivities will begin at 10 a.m. on September 25 and include a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Attendees and employees will be greeted with remarks from SOMIC CEO Patrick Bonetsmuller, and Dr. Gerhard Huber. Fox and Tim Haase, SOMIC’s Chief Operating Officer, will handle a company presentation, followed by tours of the facility.
“One of the things that I liked about this building was the amount of natural light it offers, When the sale was completed, we had nine months to finish the buildout with our offices, the spare parts and warehouse space, and the manufacturing floor,” said Fox.
“Our guests will see many new machines in various stages, including a demonstration of the new 434 SuperFlex with CORASÒ collating and grouping technology. It will also provide them an early look at the machine we will introduce days later at PACK Expo Las Vegas.”
Following the tours, lunch will be served along with beverages on tap in the beer tent. The second portion of the day will be an evening event of food and music at a great venue in nearby Stillwater. Fox said shuttles for the 30 minute trip will begin at 2 p.m. and will return at the end of the night.
“We chose Stillwater for several reasons. It’s a very rustic town with some amazing architecture and is our state’s birthplace,” he said. “We chose The Freight House restaurant because it is located in the downtown district and has a lively atmosphere, which makes it ideal for this occasion. It’s also the first building there to be placed on The National Registry of Historic Places and is alongside the beautiful St. Croix River, which separates Minnesota and Wisconsin. You can’t beat the view at this time of year.”
Registration to attend the event is now open. For more information including preferred hotels and special rates, click here.