Orbis Corporation, a provider of reusable packaging solutions, announced that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Creative Techniques, Inc. (CTI), which designs and manufactures custom packaging.
Orbis produces plastic returnable totes, bulk containers, pallets, dunnage, and metal racks in twelve manufacturing sites and operates more than thirty service centers across North America and Europe. CTI’s business focuses on stand-alone trays, container dunnage, precision rack dunnage, seat pallets, and kitting trays. It also offers state-of-the-art high pressure injection molding, structural foam molding, and prototyping capabilities.
While details of the transaction were not disclosed, as part of the deal, Orbis will also acquire CTI’s facilities, including 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 22,000 square feet of warehousing space. Approximately 110 employees are joining the ORBIS team in connection with the transaction.
“What excites me about this acquisition is the engineering excellence and solutions-focused approach CTI brings to its customers,” said Orbis President Norm Kukuk. “They create tremendous value in their front-end processes, tooling development, rapid prototyping capabilities, and ultimately the high-quality packaging they deliver to customers. We look forward to welcoming their talented team to Orbis and expanding our capabilities in these areas.”
Orbis, a subsidiary of Menasha Corporation, a packaging manufacturer and supply chain solutions provider, brings reusable packaging to the automotive and retail supply chain markets. While CTI focuses on the automotive segment, it is aligned with Orbis in its focus on sustainability, customer relationships, innovation, and supply chain expertise.
Products at Pack Expo
To that end, during Pack Expo International 2024 in Chicago, Orbis will be showcasing products that play a pivotal role in optimizing supply chains.
According to the company, Orbis products are designed for a long service life, compared to single-use boxes and pallets. The company goal is to keep packaging in use, at its highest utility, for as long as possible for its customers.
The Orbis booth at Pack Expo will showcase a variety of packaging solutions used in primary packaging, retail, automotive, and industrial applications including:
New 60×48 Industrial Pallet
This pallet boasts exceptional durability and reliability, making it an optimal choice for use within the industrial and automotive sectors. It is well-suited for transporting powertrain and EV components such as modules and longer battery components, offering compatibility with automation and edge-racking systems that enhance operational efficiency and versality in handling and storage.
OpteBulk
Orbis’ sleeve pack line, OpteBulk, is an economical collapsible bulk container solution for lighter weight loads in the supply chain. OpteBulk systems are comprised of a reusable sleeve, pallet and top cap. Orbis offers a variety of reusable sleeve pack solutions that are designed to replace limited-use wood pallet / gaylord systems.
Odyssey 3-Runner Pallet
The Odyssey 3-Runner pallet offers dimensional consistency for seamless interface with automation. It supports heavy loads and provides stability with unique design features, including heavy-duty steel reinforcements and permanent molded-in frictional elements. The Odyssey 3-Runner pallet offers an unmatched high strength-to-weight ratio capable of unsupported rack loads up to 3,000 pounds and is designed specifically to interface with automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). It is a versatile solution, with applications in dry goods and general food processing, including cold and frozen storage of meat, bakery, produce, and dairy. By implementing the Odyssey 3-Runner pallet, companies can successfully and easily move product loads throughout an automated system.
OrbiSheld Eco
OrbiShield Eco dunnage is designed to protect parts and components in the automotive supply chain. It is available in a wide variety of materials that reduce solid waste generation and carbon footprint, without compromising product protection or performance. This dunnage is custom designed to meet the growing needs of businesses who are increasingly conscious of the impact that packaging has on the environment. Furthering Orbis’s commitment to the circular economy, this new product line promotes and demonstrates the reuse of materials and reduces reliance on single-use packaging. The OrbiShield Eco line is produced using recovered and reprocessed plastic resins and can be recycled at end of life, making it an ideal solution for companies looking to enhance their sustainability efforts.
